'Slavery-like situations': Women gig workers rally against algorithmic control

By A Representative
Scores of women service partners affiliated with the Gig and Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU) gathered outside Urban Company’s Jaipur regional office today to protest what they described as exploitative working conditions and discriminatory algorithmic practices. The demonstration, led by India’s first women-led gig workers' organization, culminated in the submission of a formal memorandum of demands addressed to the company’s senior management and CEO.
The union’s grievances center on "forced labor elements" integrated into the platform's digital infrastructure. A primary point of contention is the non-binding 45-minute service time limit, which workers claim frequently leads to unjust account discontinuations after 24 to 27 cumulative hours of service. Protesters also called for the immediate abolition of the "banded batching" system, which they argue places an unfair and inflexible burden on partners who require more autonomy over their schedules.
Labor leaders at the site highlighted a lack of transparency in how the platform manages its workforce behind the scenes. The memorandum outlines 13 specific demands, including an end to mandatory ratings used to facilitate hidden biases and a halt to the practice of deducting advance credits based on worker scores. Union members are also seeking a policy change that would require the company to provide formal advance notice and specific justifications before any worker’s account is deactivated.
Beyond operational hurdles, the GIPSWU is pushing for significant social and financial reforms. The union has asked for a reduction in mandatory product ratings, the cessation of unannounced home visits for credit deductions exceeding seven kilometers, and a more equitable service fee structure. Crucially, the demands include the implementation of transparent accident insurance policies and the introduction of formal emergency maternity leave—a benefit currently absent for the platform's predominantly female workforce.
GIPSWU President Seema Singh, who signed the memorandum, emphasized that the action is a pursuit of justice and sustainable industrial relations within the gig economy. While management representatives reportedly engaged in online discussions with union leaders throughout the day, the union confirmed that no written commitments or formal responses have been issued by the company. National Coordinator Nirmal Gorana stated that the campaign will continue until the platform provides tangible assurances to protect the rights and dignity of its essential service partners.

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