RESUMO
This study tries to establish a conceptual and empirical understanding of the precarity of work in the platform economy using food aggregators as illustrations and in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Internet access and smartphone facilitated the creation of platform aggregators, which emerged as a new workspace for young workers in India. However, food aggregators term these workers as 'delivery partners'; this changes the employer-employee relations and allows companies to avoid liabilities and reduce costs. This has led to systematic exploitation and dismal working conditions for food delivery workers. Further, Workers at platforms suffer from low wages (and benefit), absence (or lack) of welfare measures, and discriminatory practices. The COVID-19 pandemic and resultant lockdown have further aggravated the precarity of on-demand work and workers. Pandemic has shown that with loss of livelihood and income, the notion of autonomy and flexibility at work is meant for the privileged few. This precarious situation of food delivery workers calls for affirmative action in terms of regulations, social security, and protection.
RESUMO
There is a need for a factual understanding of the historical impact of pandemics in the world. Against this backdrop, this study provides a historical understanding of societal behaviour and responses to pandemics. Inferences are primarily drawn from a literature review from the past and present. The present analysis also reflects the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in the world and India while providing a novel perspective to understand public health practices in a global context. It suggests the need for a more synchronised health response in pandemics while highlighting the uncertainties and challenges with historical evidence and comparisons to the ongoing pandemic. An emphasis is on learning from historical evidence and ascertaining how these retrospective diagnoses help make arguments about health and illness in our present moment.
