Name: Nagendrakumar P. M.
Country: India

Year: 2026
Volume: Volume-11, Issue-1, January-June 2026
Page Number: 938-946
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22673810

The gig economy has emerged as an important component of urban employment, offering flexible work opportunities while simultaneously creating concerns regarding job stability, working conditions, and social protection. The present study examines the transformation of urban employment through gig work, with particular reference to gig workers in Mysuru City. The study adopts a descriptive and analytical research design based on both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected from 60 gig workers engaged in diverse forms of platform-based and task-oriented employment through a structured interview schedule. Secondary data were obtained from government reports, labour and employment publications, scholarly literature, and relevant policy documents. The data were analysed using frequency, percentage, cross-tabulation, and Pearson’s Chi-square test. The findings indicate that irregular income (65.0%), lack of social security (63.3%), and lack of paid leave (60.0%) are major challenges faced by respondents, while flexible working hours (71.7%) and additional income opportunities (66.7%) are the principal benefits. The hypothesis testing revealed a statistically significant association between working conditions and job satisfaction (χ² = 27.510, df = 4, p < 0.001), supporting the first hypothesis. Similarly, access to social security benefits was significantly associated with perceived employment security (χ² = 21.012, df = 4, p < 0.001), supporting the second hypothesis. The study concludes that although gig employment enhances flexibility and accessibility, strengthening social protection, income security, occupational safety, and institutional support is essential for promoting more secure and sustainable urban employment.

Keywords: Gig Economy; Urban Employment; Social Security; Job Satisfaction