Shashi Tharoor criticised the government for not backing an International Labour Organization (ILO) proposal to protect gig workers. He said app-based workers need better pay, safety and social security. Why are gig workers a major issue in India? Tharoor argued that India should have supported the ILO convention instead of abstaining, saying the country should adopt global standards to protect gig workers through domestic legislation. India has already introduced provisions for gig and platform workers under the Code on Social Security, 2020, which provides a framework for extending social security benefits to such workers.