Author: Amitava Ghosh
A gig economy is a free market system in which temporary positions are common and organisations hire independent workers for short-term commitments. The term “gig” is a slang word for a job that lasts a specified time; it is typically used by musicians. Examples of gig employees in the workforce could include freelancers, independent contractors, project-based workers, and temporary or part-time hires.
In India, there are about three million gig workers — temporary workers including independent contractors, online platform workers, contract firm workers, and on-call workers. The number is certainly small if one were to compare it with India’s 500 million workers. However, the good part is that an estimated 56 per cent of new employment is generated by the gig world. Delivery boys, cleaners, consultants, bloggers, etc are part of the gig economy. Uber, Ola, Zomato, etc, are all part of this labour platform. As the work is job-specific, workers have the flexibility to work for more than one contractor and choose the hours of work. This has encouraged women in labour force participation.
As someone said, millions of people are actively choosing this alternate path: developing the skills and attitude to strike out on their own and tap into the many opportunities the gig economy offers. In the process, they’re making themselves safe from the bosses and fluctuating fortunes of organisations, while creating a flexible schedule and greater income security, in its way, than a traditional full-time job can provide.
I could infer the following from my study in various sites about the gig economy before I started reading the book. After this preliminary study, I then read the book and found the book extremely helpful.
This book takes the reader inside this challenging yet promising work world and shows how to manage the risks while maximising the rewards. The book offers a counter-narrative to the doomsday reports that dominate media reports and policy debates by highlighting how professionals in diverse fields can thrive. Best yet, it reveals effective, long-term strategies to make the gig economy work for you.
What to expect from the book?
The book is a comprehensive guide about the gig economy, it’s birth, bloom, and success in India. The book also showcases its shielding when Pandemics happen and also presents fresh case scenarios during this COVID-19 times, how it affected the economy and how the gig economy shielded itself up to an extent.
Who can read?
The book is in general intended to the readers who would like to understand how these micro-firms work and run. The book can give answers to people who want to understand this form of economy.
How good is the Author’s writing style?
Author Amitava Ghosh has done an excellent job in articulating various research and study topics on gig economies. With easy, simple, non-complex, and understandable language to all the readers, he has presented his book in a very coherent manner. The writing is clear and every chapter explains or rather spoon feeds the topic. Such writing in the business books is rarely found, but Ghosh has done a good job in making this a reality.
How entertaining is the book?
The book is a new and unique subject that just has been in a boom in the world and India for a few years. With known names, modes of purchasing, and delivery, the book is quite an entertainer. The book can appease young entrepreneurs who must know this kind of economy which is an updated version. This book with almost 200 pages also acts as a good ready guide to students and young people who can align their knowledge to the present system of markets and business.
Final Verdict
A comprehensive book about the gig economy in India, it’s ups and downs and it’s features.
Reviewed By: Swapna Peri
