Right to Practice Any Lawful Occupation: SC Declares Gig Workers Cannot Be Arbitrarily Dropped
- ByAdmin --
- 11 Apr 2025 --
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In 2025, a delivery agent working with a food delivery platform was deactivated without warning after receiving two low ratings.
No inquiry. No appeal. Just a blocked ID and loss of income.
He filed a petition—and the Supreme Court sided with him, declaring that gig workers are entitled to due process, dignity, and economic liberty.
The Law in Question
Article 19(1)(g) guarantees the right to practice any profession or trade, with reasonable restrictions.
The Court examined whether algorithmic deactivation violated this constitutional right.
Key Findings
- Gig workers are part of the new informal workforce, but protected under constitutional rights
- Platforms cannot use opaque digital systems to remove workers
- Natural justice applies to algorithmic decision-making
“Technology cannot become a veil for exploitation,” said the bench.
Court's Directive
- Platforms must offer a grievance redressal mechanism
- Workers must be given reasoned communication before deactivation
- Appeals should be reviewed by human moderation
Impact
- Gig economy workers (Swiggy, Uber, Blinkit, Zomato) gain constitutional protection
- Pushes platforms to update contracts and policies
- Inspires further policy development for India's unregulated workforce
You may work through an app—but your rights are very real.
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