‘Equal work, unequal pay’: Report claims deep wage divide between gig and permanent employees

Despite a surge in festive hiring this year, the issue of wage parity between gig and permanent employees remains unresolved, with nearly half of Indian professionals acknowledging a pay gap, according to a new report.

The study by Genius HRTech (formerly Genius Consultants) revealed that 47% of respondents believe gig workers earn less than their full-time counterparts for the same roles. When asked to quantify the difference, 11% said gig workers earn up to 10% less, 23% reported a 10–25% gap, and 13% indicated that the disparity exceeds 25%.

Conducted between September 1 and 30, 2025, the DigiPoll survey covered 1,550 professionals across industries, shedding light on the persistent inequality that continues to shadow India’s growing gig economy—especially during high-demand festive seasons.


“The festive economy thrives on the agility and contribution of gig workers, yet our data shows they continue to operate on unequal terms,” said R P Yadav, Chairman and Managing Director of Genius HRTech. “The principle of ‘equal pay for equal work’ must extend beyond permanent contracts. Fair compensation, skill-building, and transparency are crucial to creating a future-ready, motivated gig workforce that can truly power India’s seasonal demand.”

The report also found that 73% of respondents believe gig workers should receive the same hourly pay as permanent employees for identical tasks—reflecting a strong sentiment across the workforce in favor of pay parity.

From the employer’s perspective, however, the wage gap is often justified by the flexibility and short-term nature of gig employment. Over 56% of employers cited the absence of long-term benefits or obligations as the primary reason, while 24% pointed to the temporary duration of work and 10% to lower skill or training levels. Only 3% of employers confirmed there was no pay difference between the two categories.

When asked about non-monetary measures to enhance gig worker satisfaction, 43% of respondents voted for skill development opportunities, followed by 31% who preferred flexible shifts, 13% who cited transport and meal facilities, and 9% who wanted clearer career transition pathways to permanent roles.