Over 1.7 lakh media professionals working on contractual basis in India: Economic Survey
The Indian media sector employed 1.7 lakh flexi or contract workers in 2023, according to the Economic Survey 2023-24 tabled in the Parliament on Monday. This number equals that of the contractual workforce employed in the e-commerce sector, said the Survey, referring to the data from the Indian Staffing Federation. This indicates the precarious employment situation for the journalists who are supposed to hold the government accountable. “Contractual and freelance workers provide the agility needed to respond swiftly to changing market trends and project requirements without the long-term commitment associated with permanent hires,” a media head told e4m, requesting anonymity. Not only traditional and legacy media houses, even new age digital media platforms in India and across the world prefer freelance workers to widen their network of content creators at low cost, according to some journalists. The data underscores the reliance of all major sectors on freelance, self-employed or informal economy work. Over 54 lakh people are employed as contractual workers in 15 major sectors, as per the Economic Survey. Such workers can no longer depend on legislative provisions. The 476-page Economic Survey underscores that India's economy has solidified its post-Covid recovery. Policymakers have played a crucial role in ensuring economic and financial stability, with the economy continuing to expand despite global volatility.