Determinants of Job Satisfaction of Gig Workers in the Food and Beverage Industry in Mumbai Metropolitan Region – A Regression Analysis of Socioeconomic, Organizational and Behavioral Factors

Abstract

Job satisfaction has been a matter of concern among workers across different sectors. It is a crucial issue in the growing gig economy, especially for temporary workers employed within the food and beverage industry. This study explores various factors that influence job satisfaction among gig workers in the food and beverage industry in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Gig workers, including cooks, cashiers, cleaners, and support staff, usually work on a temporary or part-time basis, and often lack the benefits of formal employment. With the gig economy rapidly expanding in India’s urban areas, particularly in Mumbai, it becomes imperative to understand the factors that satisfy or dissatisfy gig workers in their jobs. Based on personal interviews conducted with 2,000 gig workers across the Western, Central, and Harbour regions of Mumbai, this study analyzed a variety of factors such as age, gender, income, work environment, employer support, access to health benefits, appointment letters, and opportunities for growth. The research found that workers who received formal appointment letters and, employer support during health emergencies, worked in a respectful and clean environment, and had cordial relationships with their co-workers reported higher job satisfaction. These conditions provided them with a sense of recognition, stability, and belonging. On the other hand, job dissatisfaction is linked to high stress levels, lack of job promotions, absence of performance-based incentives, and workplace issues. In addition, ownership of household items such as refrigerators was associated with higher satisfaction levels. The research suggests that job satisfaction among gig workers depends on wages, workplace conditions, employer treatment, and availability of social security benefits. To improve satisfaction, employers should provide formal job contracts, health-related support, and recognition of the work put in by the workers, while policymakers should design inclusive labour laws and welfare schemes that address the specific needs of gig workers. By improving working conditions and offering basic benefits, both businesses and the government can help to create a more motivated, stable, and productive gig workforce in the food and beverage sector.