New Delhi, Jan. 5 -- There is no contradiction between paying gig workers a living wage and the claim that gig work provides job opportunities to many who would otherwise struggle to earn anything. Delivery workers for food delivery and quick-commerce platforms like Zomato, Swiggy, Zepto and Blinkit went on strike recently, demanding better wages and work conditions.

This has triggered a bizarre debate online, as if asking for better wages amounts to socialism and charges of gig worker exploitation go against entrepreneurship.

The obvious gainers from low-paid gig work are consumers who get doorstep deliveries both extra-cheap and ultra-fast.

Entrepreneurs running platforms that give millions of people work who may be left jobless with...