By Namrata P. Rajiv, Kinjal Sharma, Gautum Kumar Mishra and Manini Agarwal  The year 2025 marked a significant turning point for India’s gig economy. Prime Minister Modi’s decision to provide gig workers with a legitimate identity through the e-shram portal and health insurance coverage under the Jan Arogya Yojana scheme demonstrated the government’s commitment to formalising this sector (Investopedia & Munichiello, 2024).  As illustrated in the chart below, the gig economy has experienced exponential growth particularly driving the youth to this sector as an alternative employment, driven by the rise of online platforms such as Zomato, Instamart, Blinkit, and Zepto. This growth is expected to continue as more workers join the platform. The recent budget has acknowledged the sector’s potential by introducing measures to formalise it (Boston Consulting Group, 2021).  From an economic perspective, investing in the gig economy offers numerous benefits, including cost-saving advantages for businesses and greater customer acquisition for consumers seeking doorstep delivery. According to NITI Aayog’s report, “India’s Booming Gig and Platform Economy,” the workforce in this sector is projected to exceed 1 crore in 2024-25 and reach 2.35 crore by 2029-30 (One Crore Gig Workers to Benefit Under PM Jan Arogya Yojana Healthcare Scheme, n.d.).  However, this growth also presents challenges, particularly regarding fixed-period contracts, seasonal employment, and the ability to hire and fire workers flexibly. To address these concerns, it is essential to understand the challenges, prospects, and recommendations for taking this economy forward. Increased digitalisation and the growth of e-commerce have led to a rise in the number of gig economy participants. With projections indicating a total of 86.5 million participants by 2027, it becomes pertinent to address the challenges and analyse the workings of the gig economy (Upwork, n.d.).  CHALLENGES: The gig economy has revolutionised the nature of work all across the world providing new job opportunities and flexibility of labour to millions of gig workers. Whether it is Uber, Zomato, or Swiggy, the gig economy is said to have revolutionised India’s economy with at its forefront the demographic dividend of half a million labor force comprising the youth. However, despite the enormous benefits provided there are several challenges causing adverse effects on the workers and the economy as a whole. Most specifically these issues include the legal insecurities due to the regulatory frameworks and the job instability posed by the gig economy. Online transport services like Ola, Uber, Rapido, etc have a huge number of gig workers spanning across the country, in cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, etc. In a study, it was found that 60% of drivers work for more than 12 hours a day, and up to 83% work for more than 10 hours a day. Compared to the Indian Factories Act, of  1948, which sets working hours at 8 per day and 48 hours per week, gig workers often work beyond legal work limits, without any overtime. Furthermore, these companies have a ‘’30 min delivery policy’’ to maintain competition in the market, putting immense time-bound pressures on gig workers. Most of these companies work on demand-based services with no fixed working hours and low wages.  1.1 Regulatory Framework One of the most significant challenges faced by the workers is concerning workers’ classification. The majority of the companies classify the workers as independent contractors rather than employees to avoid obligations entitled to them resulting in blatant discrimination of workers. Gig workers in these scenarios are suffering from minimum wage laws, overtime pay, and workplace protections (Rogers, 2016). This classification undertaken by companies has often led to legal battles, with courts for example, in the landmark case of “Dynamex Operations West, Inc. v. Superior Court of Los Angeles” (2018), the Supreme Court of California ruled in favour of stricter worker classification standards, leading to the passage of Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) mainly due to pressure from gig giants like Uber. There are rulings which are held which have favoured workers while others have upheld the gig worker’s classification as independent contractors. In India, gig workers face several challenges especially due to the ambiguous labour laws. There are attempts made to address these concerns such as the Code on Social Security 2020 to recognise gig workers and to offer social security benefits. However, this law does not mandate companies to provide employment benefits like minimum wage, social security, and job security and the implementation of this law remains very weak. This has resulted in gig workers continuing to operate in the grey area, with uncertainties. Another significant issue faced is concerning tax contributions. Most of the time gig workers do not receive employer support. In the traditional workforce, taxes are automatically deducted by employers easing the complex procedures of filing taxes. Whereas in the gig economy gig workers themselves must set aside money, calculate, and then pay their self-employment taxes. This at times leads to financial strains for the gig workers(Collins et al., 2019). Research indicates that gig workers struggle with the complexities of tax filing as the majority of them are unaware of tax regulations. Moreover, the absence of employer contributions to social security and insurance also places an additional burden on gig workers, adversely affecting their earnings and long-term financial stability (OECD, 2021). 1.2 Job Insecurity and Lack of Benefits In the case of the traditional workforce which typically requires a workforce full time the gig workers lack job security as their employment depends on the fluctuating demand and platform algorithms. Studies indicate that gig workers often experience income volatility due to unpredictable work availability (Woodcock & Graham, 2020) and it was also found that 29% of gig workers rely on gig work as their primary source of income, making them increasingly vulnerable to sudden shifts in demand as per a study conducted by the Pew Research Center (2021). Algorithmic adjustments tend to prioritise the workers leaving them without work affecting their long-term financial stability. Rosenblat and Stark (2016) found that ride-hailing platforms use opaque algorithms to determine worker availability and compensation, which reduces earnings without notice.

By: Aditi Sharma & Sanket Ghodeswar Introduction Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing economies across the globe, remodeling industries, and redefining the future of work. Developed countries are exploiting AI to foster innovation and productivity, while its effects on developing economies are multifaceted. On the one hand, AI brings many opportunities for economic growth, efficiency, and enhanced service delivery. It can help solve age-old problems like poverty, illiteracy, and poor healthcare. Nevertheless, most developing nations do not possess the required infrastructure, human resources, and regulation to effectively tap into AI. AI-powered automation can replace human labor in industry sectors that rely heavily on it, exacerbating socio-economic imbalances. Also, dependence on AI systems built by the Global North can entrench biases, curtailing developing economies’ agency in determining their technological destiny. The key question remains: Does AI serve as a tool for inclusive growth, or does it act as a barrier to equity? This article explores AI’s potential to drive economic growth in developing economies while also highlighting the risks it poses to equity and inclusion. AI as a Tool for Economic Growth in Developing Economies AI has great potential to stimulate economic development in developing countries through enhanced productivity, innovation, and service sector transformation. Most nations in the Global South are already employing AI-based solutions to address major challenges, enhance livelihoods, and promote industries. One of the most exciting uses of AI is in agriculture, where it is assisting farmers with data-driven insights. In India, CropIn, an AI-based platform, employs predictive analytics to deliver real-time advisory services. Using satellite imagery and weather data, CropIn assists farmers in minimizing crop loss and boosting productivity. This technology is especially beneficial to small-scale farmers who do not have access to advanced farming practices. AI is also making governance more robust by enhancing transparency and effectiveness in public services. In Brazil, the government employs AI to identify fraud in social welfare programs, allowing for more effective resource allocation and less corruption. In Indonesia, startup eFishery has created an AI-based smart feeding system that assists fish farmers in maximizing feeding schedules, reducing cost and improving yield. This has greatly increased the productivity and revenue of small-scale fish farmers. The financial sector is also where AI is shaping economic change. In Nigeria, fintech services such as Paystack and Flutterwave, powered by AI, are increasing financial inclusion by making digital payment services accessible to small businesses. The platforms have simplified it for entrepreneurs to participate in e-commerce, which has led to the expansion of local economies. In medicine, AI is assisting developing countries in addressing issues of accessibility and affordability. Sophia Genetics, an AI platform, is improving medical diagnostics in Kenya, especially in diseases such as cancer. Also, Rwanda has incorporated AI-based diagnostic tools to enhance healthcare outcomes in rural areas. Also, Zipline, a drone-based system for the delivery of medical supplies, ensures remote locations get necessary medication in a timely manner. These examples highlight AI’s ability to solve real-world problems, enhance efficiency, and contribute to economic growth. However, despite these advancements, AI also presents significant risks that could hinder equity and inclusive development. AI in Developing Economies: A Barrier to Equity and Inclusive Development Although AI can be a great economic development tool, its fast take-up in developing economies is worrying in terms of inequality, bias, and exclusion. AI, if not properly implemented, can increase socio-economic gaps instead of closing them. Algorithmic Bias and Discrimination One of the largest fears associated with AI is algorithmic bias. Because AI programs are trained on past data, they tend to mirror and even enhance preexistent social biases. If the data for training AI algorithms are biased, then the results will be biased as well. For instance, in 2018, Amazon abandoned its AI recruitment tool after it discovered the tool was biased against women. The algorithm learned from previous hiring data that preferred men and consistently dismissed resumes of women, perpetuating gender-based discrimination in hiring. Likewise, AI-based tenant screening software has disproportionately given lower ratings to Black and Hispanic renters, causing housing discrimination. These examples show how AI, if poorly constructed, can feed into social injustice instead of driving it out. Developing economies, which do not generally have strict AI regulations, are especially open to these biases. Economic Disparity and Job Loss AI-based automation threatens jobs immensely, particularly in labor-driven sectors. A 2023 McKinsey report shows that AI could automate 14 million jobs globally by 2030, with developing economies hit the hardest. For example, in the hotel industry, AI-based self-check-in machines and virtual assistants have resulted in the loss of jobs for hotel employees. Valerie Gills, a U.S. hotel receptionist, lost her job when her company substituted human personnel with automated systems. The same dynamics are unfolding in emerging economies, where lower-skilled workers are most exposed to job loss due to AI. In Latin America, research shows that nearly 25% of the positions occupied by Latino workers, especially in agriculture and construction, may be displaced through automation by 2030. Without adequate reskilling efforts, AI will increase unemployment levels and expand the economic gap. Omission of Persons with Disabilities AI technologies do not consider the requirements of individuals with disabilities, hence causing digital exclusion. The Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC) released a report, which established that most AI-enabled applications are greatly dependent on visual recognition, which makes them impossible for visually impaired people to access. Tom Pey, president of RSBC, accused the hasty deployment of AI-based services without disabled users in mind, saying it has shut them out of vital digital services. Unless AI is designed with inclusion in mind, disabled communities in emerging countries could be further marginalized. AI and Financial Exclusion As AI transforms financial services, it also threatens financial exclusion. In the UK, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) cautioned that AI-powered “hyper-personalization” in banking may render some people uninsurable based on their financial or health record. FCA Chief Nikhil Rathi warned that this might disproportionately impact low-income people, perpetuating economic inequality. Likewise, in poor countries, AI-based credit scoring

The ethics of transitioning to low Carbon, Sustainable Future in the Construction industry.   ABSTRACT The global demand for sustainable materials is increasing, yet ethical sourcing remains a major challenge. Ethical sourcing ensures that materials are procured responsibly, with minimal harm to people and the environment. This paper explores key principles of ethical sourcing, the challenges faced by industries, and best practices for achieving transparency and accountability in material procurement.The study highlights sustainable materials, such as certified timber, recycled metals, and bio-based materials, while examining global certifications (e.g., FSC, Fair Trade, LEED) that regulate ethical sourcing. Challenges such as green washing, high costs, and supply chain complexity are also discussed. Finally, the paper provides solutions for improving supply chain transparency, stakeholder collaboration, and regulatory compliance.Findings suggest that companies that adopt ethical sourcing strategies not only reduce environmental impact but also enhance brand reputation, build stronger partnerships, and attract ESG-conscious investors.Keywords: Ethical sourcing, sustainable materials, supply chain transparency, ESG compliance, green procurement, circular economy   INTRODUCTION The construction industry contributes positively to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of both developed and developing countries in addition to the industry`s capacity as a reliable employer. The relationship between the environment and construction industry can be said to be symbiotic since the industry relies heavy on the environment for inputs. According to Ugochukwu et al. (2015) construction inputs also determine the success of a project, where a shortfall affect both the quality and time of project completion. The construction industries heavily depend on raw materials, yet their sourcing methods often involve unethical practices such as illegal deforestation, exploitative labor, and excessive carbon emissions. Ethical sourcing of sustainable materials ensures that materials are obtained responsibly, with fair labour conditions, environmental conservation, and economic sustainability. The construction industry has started over exploitation of natural resources in order to meet the exponential demand.Developing countries face unique challenges, including weak institutions, rapid population growth, social injustice, political instability, and deficits in housing and infrastructure (Ofori, 1998; du Plessis, 2007). These issues hinder sustainability in the construction sector. Lehmann (2013) highlighted that construction significantly contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions, causing inefficiencies and high energy use. MIT (2013) warned that CO₂ levels, already at 478 ppm, are worsened by other greenhouse gases. Sev (2009) also noted that resource consumption in Sub-Saharan countries is unsustainable, requiring a pragmatic approach to manage limited resources.In addition, huge amount of Construction and Demolition waste (CD waste) being generated every year across the world is sent to land fill as dumps causing numerous environmental problems. The CD is waste generated during various construction activities such as site clearance, excavation, renovation, demolition, natural and man-made disasters, road construction. It includes different types of materials such as Earth, stone, sand, mixed soil during excavation, contaminated wood, bricks, tiles, concrete with or without reinforcing materials, insulation and roofing materials, salvaged building components, plumbing fixtures, asphalt during road repair and other waste materials. (Gupta et al.,2010)Unquestionably, the outcome of the Brundtland Report in 1987, the reports of the Rio de Janeiro and Johannesburg meeting as well as other recent efforts such as the Agenda 21 for sustainable construction have all contributed significantly to the global effort in achieving sustainable development. The most widely accepted view of sustainable development is that of the World Conference Environment and Development (1987), which views it as “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”With growing consumer awareness and global sustainability commitments (e.g., the Paris Agreement, UN Sustainable Development Goals), companies face increasing pressure to adopt transparent and ethical sourcing practices. However, challenges such as greenwashing, supply chain opacity, and regulatory inconsistencies continue to hinder progress. This paper explores:What ethical sourcing means and its importance in sustainability.Key challenges faced in ethical material procurement.Best practices in industries transitioning to responsible sourcing.Policy recommendations and technological solutions to enhance ethical sourcing.   LITERATURE REVIEW Sustainable Construction Sustainable construction has gained significant attention in academia and industry as a response to ecosystem degradation and unequal resource use post-World War II (Dania et al., 2013). Bourdeau (1999) noted that calls for sustainability pushed the construction industry to adopt measures such as efficient energy use, waste reduction, and minimizing environmental impact (Pearce et al., 2012).This led to global initiatives, including Agenda 21 for Sustainable Construction (CIB, 1999). However, developing countries criticized its lack of inclusivity in the planning process (du Plessis, 2007; Ofori, 2007), prompting the creation of Agenda 21 for Sustainable Construction in Developing Countries (Dania et al., 2013). Despite this, progress remains limited due to political inertia and weak institutional frameworks. What is Ethical Sourcing? Raw materials are important to produce construction materials to meet ecological and socio-economic targets for the Sustainable Development Goals (Mancini & Nuss, 2020). Ethical sourcing covers issues relating to corporate social responsibility, sustainability reporting and ethical sourcing is a responsible supply chain approach that ensures: Fair labor conditions (no child labor, forced labor, or wage exploitation). Environmental conservation (sustainable forestry, low-carbon extraction, minimal waste). Legal and ESG compliance (adhering to industry regulations and ethical trade policies)                                                                                                                                                                                    According to Carter & Rogers (2008), ethical sourcing must balance profitability with corporate responsibility, ensuring that business operations do not exploit workers or harm ecosystems. The concept of ethical sourcing has only just begun to emerge as a reaction to the government`s approach on sustainability implementation in the construction industry.Ebohon and Rwelamila (2001) maintain that resources production pattern pollutes the rivers and other water bodies in addition to

By: Aditi Sharma & Sanket Ghodeswar Introduction During the coronavirus pandemic in India, the lockdown, and an existing slowdown in the growth of the domestic economy and the economic impact of the pandemic, the government issued an adapted idea of self-reliance. The concept of Atmanirbhar bharat (Self-Reliant India) was introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2020, aiming to transform India into a self-sufficient and globally competitive economy. Rooted in the idea of Vocal for Local, Atmanirbhar Bharat envisions a resilient nation capable of sustaining itself while also contributing to the global economy. By promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening MSMEs, and encouraging indigenous production, this vision aspires to make India a key player in various sectors, from technology and defense to agriculture and healthcare. The Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan stands on five key pillars: economy, technology-driven systems, infrastructure, vibrant demography, and demand & supply chain. Additionally, under India Vision 2047, the nation is committed to emerging as a global powerhouse. This initiative goes beyond social and economic progress—it underscores India’s significance and the role of its citizens in shaping global development. Key Pillars of Aatmanirbhar Bharat: – 1] Economy: – As the outbreak of Covid 19 has clearly demonstrated that the world including India was not fully prepared to tackle the crisis without any external help. So government of India under Aatmanirbhar Bharat economy pillar focuses on achieving sustainable growth. The goal is to develop a strong financial ecosystem that supports industries, attract foreign investment and promote local production. A lot of initiatives like Production Linked Incentive and Corporate Tax Reduction have been introduced to boost domestic manufacturing. At the same time reforms in banking sector aims to improve efficiency and strengthen economic stability.   2] Infrastructure: – Absence of robust infrastructure further escalated India’s problem during covid 19 pandemic. However, the second pillar which is infrastructure is very vital for any country’s economic development as it enhances industrial efficiency and ease of doing business. In regards of this Government of India has launched ambitious project like National Infrastructure Pipeline which involves an investment of 100 lakh crores to develop roads, ports and railway. To strengthen transportation and logistics government also came up with Bharatmala and Sagarmala projects. Additionally, with the launch of Smart cities mission it also aims to create sustainable urban spaces with advanced technology integration.   3] System: – System which is third pillar talks about modernizing governance and creating transparent business environment. The main reason behind this is to streamline governance and simplify regulatory process so that business can evolve in more amicable way without bureaucratic hurdles. Government has taken prominent step toward digitalization by expanding e-governance, simplifying tax structure through GST and introducing start up friendly policies.   4] Vibrant Demography: – Government introduced Vibrant Demography as 4th pillar with vision to leverage India’s young and dynamic workforce for economic growth. According to MoSPI report titled ‘Youth in India 2022’, by the year 2036, those above the age of 30 will form the majority of population. To extract benefit, initiative like Skill India Mission and Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana are being explored. At the same time National Education Policy 2020 ensure that youth are better prepared for the job market by bridging gap between skills and academic education.   5] Demand & Supply Chain: – The demand and supply chain pillar focuses on strengthening local market and mitigating dependency on imports. Through initiative like ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Make in India’ government tries to promote domestic industries and boost export. The government has also introduced reforms which support MSME, improve agriculture logistics through e-NAM and enhance infrastructure to facilitate faster goods movement. Government Initiatives on Atmanirbhar Bharat The Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, launched in May 2020, represents India’s strategic push towards self-reliance across various sectors. With a financial package of ₹20 lakh crore (approximately 10% of India’s GDP), the initiative aims to strengthen domestic industries, enhance economic resilience, and reduce dependency on imports. Several key government initiatives have been introduced under this mission to promote self-sufficiency in manufacturing, technology, defense, infrastructure, and financial sectors. One of the flagship programs under this initiative is the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, which provides financial incentives to domestic manufacturers across 14 key sectors such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and automobiles. With an outlay of ₹1.97 lakh crore, the scheme is designed to enhance India’s export competitiveness and boost local manufacturing. Complementing this effort is the Make in India 2.0 program, which focuses on 27 champion sectors, including defense, renewable energy, and textiles. By attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and improving domestic production capabilities, this initiative has already garnered over $81.72 billion in FDI inflows during FY 2021-22. To support small and medium enterprises, the government launched the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) with an allocation of ₹5 lakh crore, benefiting over 1.14 crore MSMEs. This scheme has played a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability of these enterprises, particularly during economic downturns. Infrastructure development has also been a key priority, with the PM Gati Shakti – National Master Plan launched at an investment of ₹100 lakh crore to improve multi-modal connectivity through enhanced transport networks across roads, railways, and ports. Additionally, the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) has sanctioned loans worth over ₹22.5 lakh crore to promote entrepreneurship among small businesses. Recognizing the importance of digital transformation, the Digital India initiative, with an investment of ₹1.13 lakh crore, has been instrumental in bridging the digital divide. Under the BharatNet program, over 1.5 lakh Gram Panchayats have been connected with high-speed broadband, enabling greater digital penetration in rural India. Another crucial aspect of self-reliance is defense manufacturing, which the government has strengthened through the Defence Indigenization Policy. A negative import list has been introduced to restrict imports of over 310 defense items, prioritizing indigenous production. As a result, the defense sector received a record ₹1.62 lakh crore capital outlay in Budget 2023-24 to further boost local manufacturing. The One District, One Product (ODOP) initiative has been another key driver of self-reliance, promoting

In the era of growing economies, increasing GDP and globalization, there are areas of negligence and ignorance. Roughly 160 million children were subjected to child labor at the beginning of 2020. This accounts for nearly 1 in 10 children worldwide. Almost half of them are in hazardous work that directly endangers their health and development. This data is alarming, nearly 1 in 10 children worldwide have been involved in works that are hazardous to their health. In various regions, children are forced to work in such situations, risking their lives to provide financial aid to their families. This causes a serious impact on their physical and mental well-being, apart from tearing them away from their loved ones.

Child Labor is a global issue and requires substantial efforts to eradicate the issue. There have been efforts to reduce Child Labor. Education is an effective strategy to address child labor. Making school universal has gone hand-in-hand with reductions in child labor worldwide. Policymakers need to strengthen both access to, and quality of, elementary and secondary education. Education solves the issue of child labor, by channeling the interests of children in their careers. Another solution to reduce Child Labor is to educate child laborer’s parents. Awareness drives have motivated many parents to invest in their children’s education, but there are still some who prioritize money over education.