Alternative platform models for the domestic work sector

Project Overview

This project aims to investigate platform cooperatives (not necessarily incorporated as a cooperative but embodying the essence of a cooperative model) as a viable alternative to investor-owned platforms in the domestic work sector.

Domestic workers in India and South Africa hail from a marginalised and vulnerable section of society. There are investor-owned platforms that have now made it possible for domestic workers to access more jobs through digital platforms. However, just like other such platforms, the domestic workers on such platforms have also encountered hurdles like the undervaluation of domestic work, intersectional discrimination, power imbalance, and health and safety issues. Platform cooperatives will certainly give agency to domestic workers like data ownership, democratic control and ‘decent work’. It is, however, important to make sure that the exploitative tendencies of the investor-owned platforms do not seep into the platform cooperative model.

This project intends to put forth constructive evidence-based legal & policy measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of platform coops to investor-owned platforms in the domestic work sector. Further, it aims to proffer a comparative labour law perspective by drawing parallels between the discourse on digital labour platforms in India and South Africa due to the similar sectoral trajectory.

Research Approach

The project incorporates a combination of desk-based legal and policy research, engagement activities, and semi-structured interviews with subject experts, trade union representatives, and grassroots-level organizations.