Ola, Uber and Porter score zero in Fairwork India Ratings 2024

Mobility companies Ola, Uber, and logistics firm Porter ranked lowest in working conditions for gig workers, as reported by the Fairwork India Ratings 2024. The report underscores labor standards within India's platform economy and emphasizes the urgent need to improve conditions for gig workers.

The evaluation assessed 11 platforms across various sectors, including logistics, food delivery, and transportation, such as Amazon Flex, Bigbasket, BluSmart, Flipkart, Ola, Porter, Swiggy, Uber, Urban Company, Zepto, and Zomato.

The Fairwork India Team, led by the Centre for IT and Public Policy (CITAPP) at the International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-B), in collaboration with Oxford University, has released the Fairwork India Ratings 2024.

Tata Digital-owned BigBasket has emerged as the top performer in the Fairwork Index, along with Swiggy, Urban Company, and Zomato, each scoring 6 points.

Notably, no platform scored more than 6 out of the maximum 10 points, and none fully met all five principles: Fair Pay, Fair Conditions, Fair Contract, Fair Management, and Fair Representation.

The report further highlights that only BigBasket and Urban Company earned the first point under Fair Pay for implementing a minimum wage policy, ensuring that all workers earn at least the local minimum wage after work-related costs.

In the 2023 Fairwork Ratings, BigBasket topped the list with a score of 6 out of 10, followed by BluSmart, Swiggy, Urban Company, and Zomato, each scoring 5. Zepto received 4 points, Flipkart scored 3, Amazon Flex scored 2, while Dunzo and Uber scored 1. Ola and Porter received zero points, reflecting significant gaps in working conditions for gig workers.

BigBasket, which topped the Fairwork ratings, recently announced its full transition into quick commerce. Meanwhile, Swiggy is preparing for its stock market debut. Urban Company, which led the rankings in 2022, has recently been in the news for multiple secondary offerings and ESOP buybacks. Zomato, noted for its valuation, is currently India’s most valued tech company, with a market capitalization nearing $30 billion.