Abstract

The rise of the gig economy has opened new pathways for women to engage in income-generating activities, providing flexibility, autonomy, and opportunities for economic empowerment. This study examines the experiences of women gig workers in Thoothukudi district, focusing on their socio-economic characteristics, occupational patterns, income levels, and factors influencing earnings. A total of 120 women working in diverse gig sectors such as catering, tailoring, beauty services, and online freelancing were surveyed using structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Garrett Ranking, correlation, and multiple regression techniques. Results indicate that most participants are middle-aged and have completed higher secondary or graduate-level education. Gig work offers flexible hours, supplementary income, opportunities to apply skills, and enhanced confidence, thereby serving as a platform for both economic and social empowerment. Nevertheless, challenges such as digital illiteracy, irregular earnings, absence of social security, cultural constraints, and safety concerns hinder full participation. Statistical findings highlight education as the strongest predictor of monthly income, while age and prior employment experience exert a smaller, yet positive influence. The study concludes that while gig work provides significant opportunities for women, interventions such as digital literacy training, skill development initiatives, and social protection measures are crucial for promoting income stability, safety, and long-term empowerment. Such strategies can help women in Thoothukudi district maximize the benefits of gig work and contribute effectively to local economic development.

• 1.   Abubakar, Naima Hafiz, and Salihu Ibrahim Dasuki. “Empowerment in their hands: use of WhatsApp by women in Nigeria.” Gender, Technology and Development 22.2 (2018): 164-183.
• 2.   Amutha, D., Development of Capacity Building through Self-Help Groups in Tuticorin District, Management Today, Volume: 5, Issue: 2, 2015.
• 3.   Amutha, D., Economic Well-Being of Rural Women Through Self-Help Groups with Special Reference to Coastal Villages of Tuticorin District (August 13, 2012). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2128783.
• 4.   Anitha, S., & Kumar, P. (2017). Women and informal work in Tamil Nadu: Social norms and economic participation. Journal of Rural Development, 36(4), 525–540.
• 5.   Berg, J., Furrer, M., Harmon, E., Rani, U., & Silberman, M. (2018). Digital labour platforms and the future of work: Towards decent work in the online world. Geneva: International Labour Organization.
• 6.   Chakravarty, R. (2020). Education and income inequality in the gig economy: Evidence from India. Economic & Political Weekly, 55(42), 45–52.
• 7.   D Amutha, An analysis of economic empowerment of women SHGs in Tuticorin District, Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 2011.
• 8.   D. Amutha, 2011, Role of Self-Help Groups in Women Development-an Empirical Study, International Journal of Bio-resource and Stress Management, Volume 2, Issue 3, Pages 349-352.
• 9.   D. Amutha, 2011, Socio-Economic Impact through Self-Help Groups, Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, Vol.2, No.6, 2011.
• 10.   De Stefano, V. (2016). The rise of the “justin-time workforce”: On-demand work, crowdwork, and labor protection in the gig economy. Comparative Labor Law & Policy Journal, 37(3), 471–504.
• 11.   International Labour Organization (ILO). (2021). Women and digital work in the gig economy. Geneva: ILO Publications.
• 12.   Kalleberg, A. L., & Dunn, M. (2016). Good jobs, bad jobs in the gig economy. Perspectives on Work, 20(1), 10–14.
• 13.   Mukherjee, P. (2020). Women in the gig economy: Opportunities and challenges in India. Asian Journal of Management Research, 11(2), 112–125.
• 14.   Rani, U., & Singh, P. (2021). Digital platforms and women’s entrepreneurship in India: Prospects and barriers. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 7(1), 33–48.
• 15.   Waldkirch, Matthias, et al. “Controlled by the algorithm, coached by the crowd–how HRM activities take shape on digital work platforms in the gig economy.” The International Journal of Human Resource Management 32.12 (2021): 2643-2682.
• 16.   Wood, A. J., Graham, M., Lehdonvirta, V., & Hjorth, I. (2019). Good gig, bad gig: Autonomy and algorithmic control in the global gig economy. Work, Employment & Society, 33(1), 56–75.

Data Sharing Statement

Funding