Shaping India's Platform Economy
Through evidence, collaboration, and policy innovation.
The Platform Economy Forum brings together policymakers, platforms, workers, and researchers to build a more inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready digital economy
THE POLICY MOMENT
The law exists. Implementation is the challenge.
Operational Model
Structure working groups convert dialogue into actionable policy briefs, pilots, and recommendations.
ABOUT THE FORUM
India's platform economy is at a defining moment.
Economic Significance
Scale & Growth
The Challenge
The Forum's Role
WHY THE FORUM MATTERS
A platform for coherence in a fast-changing policy environment.
The Code on Social Security, 2020 recognises gig and platform workers, but implementation remains uneven. State-level approaches are evolving rapidly, while AI and data-driven systems continue to reshape labour relations.
Bridge national and state-level policy gaps
Align innovation with worker welfare
Build consensus across stakeholders
Translate research into implementable policy solutions
CORE AREAS OF ENGAGEMENT
Four priority areas guide the Forum’s work
Regulatory Modernisation & Business Continuity
Creating clear, predictable, and innovation-friendly regulatory environments
Inclusive Growth & Workforce Empowerment
Strengthening livelihoods, mobility, and dignity of work
Ethical, Sustainable & Efficient Business Practices
Embedding accountability, transparency, and long-term sustainability
Future of Work & Emerging Technologies
Preparing for AI-driven transitions and evolving work models
WORKING GROUPS
From Dialogue to Delivery
The Platform Economy Forum operates through thematic working groups that bring together platforms, workers, policymakers, and researchers to address specific challenges and produce actionable outputs.
Workforce Welfare & Social Protection
Social security, skilling, and income stability
Platform Governance & Responsible Practices
Transparency, ESG alignment, and accountability
Future of Work & Technology Transitions
AI, automation, and reskilling pathways
WHO ARE WE
A joint initiative anchored in policy and economic expertise.
The Platform Economy Forum is anchored by The Dialogue and Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), combining policy expertise, economic research, and regulatory engagement.
Public policy research and advocacy
Economic analysis and empirical modelling
Regulatory engagement across levels of government
Convening power across stakeholders
WHAT WE DO
The Platform Economy Forum is anchored by The Dialogue and Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), combining policy expertise, economic research, and regulatory engagement.
Enable structured, multi-stakeholder dialogue
Generate high-quality, policy-relevant evidence
Inform adaptive regulatory frameworks
Support sustainable platform ecosystems
WHAT SETS US APART
Designed for policy relevance, execution, and inclusion
Co-Created Governance
Solutions are shaped jointly by workers, platforms, policymakers, and researchers
Evidence-Driven Approach
All engagement is grounded in rigorous research
Worker-Centric Design
Worker perspectives are embedded across discussions and outputs
Action-Oriented Outputs
The Forum prioritises implementable recommendations, pilots, and policy-ready insights
Structured Working Groups
Dedicated groups translate dialogue into solutions
THEMES OF WORK
Issue areas where the Forum develops research, dialogue, and action
Regulatory Modernisation & Business Continuity
- Harmonising regulations across states
- Addressing taxation and compliance challenges
- Enabling flexible platform models
- Supporting predictable regulatory environments
Inclusive Growth & Workforce Empowerment
Skilling and upskilling for evolving platform work
Financial literacy and income stability
Gender inclusion and regional equity
Career progression pathways
Ethical, Sustainable & Efficient Business Practices
- ESG-aligned governance
- Transparency in algorithmic management
- Compliance with labour and social security standards
- Adoption of global best practices
Future of Work & Emerging Technologies
- Assessing risks of job displacement
- Identifying new opportunities in digital work
- Supporting large-scale reskilling
- Exploring hybrid models of flexibility and security
Mission
To enable evidence-driven collaboration that translates into actionable policy and implementation for India’s platform economy.
Vision
An inclusive and sustainable platform economy where innovation and worker welfare advance together.
PILLARS OF ENGAGEMENT
The Forum combines research, public engagement, collaboration, and policy impact through a structured institutional model supported by a joint Secretariat.
Research & Evidence
Generating rigorous, interdisciplinary insights
Capacity Building & Awareness
Workshops, publications, and public engagement
Convening & Partnerships
Structured dialogue across stakeholders
Policy Impact
Driving evidence-based policymaking
Secretariat
A joint Secretariat by The Dialogue and Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) ensures continuity across research, working group coordination, stakeholder engagement, and programme delivery.
MEMBERSHIP
How the Forum works in practice
Members actively participate in working groups, research, and policy dialogue.
Direct engagement with policymakers and regulators
Participation in high-impact research and working groups
Opportunities to co-develop pilot initiatives
Enhanced thought leadership and visibility
Access to a national, multi-stakeholder network
ENGAGE WITH THE FORUM
The Platform Economy Forum welcomes collaboration across sectors
We welcome engagement from workers, platforms, policymakers, researchers, and civil society organisations.
Community & Participation
Mat Zalman
CEO
Megan Palms
Marketing Director
Joe Nickalson
Senior Backend Developer
Anton Thorne
Senior Developer
Megan Oustin
Senior Android Developer
