Noida woman earned Rs 15,000 in a library job, now makes Rs 36,000 as househelp
After losing her school library job during the lockdown, Kiran turned to digital domestic work platforms in Noida. She now earns more than double her earlier salary, showing how gig work can expand access to income.
There is a growing debate around the world about the gig economy, a system where people work independently through digital platforms instead of traditional full-time jobs.
Can these platforms create real opportunities for workers who have limited access to formal employment? Kiran from Noida is one example of how digital platforms are changing the way people earn and work.
Kiran, who studied science and mathematics until Class 12, has worked several jobs throughout her life, from tutoring children to working in school libraries and factories. But today, she is no longer working a fixed office schedule. Instead, she earns more than double her previous salary through gig work, including sweeping, dusting and cooking in homes through digital platforms.
Her journey, however, began with a major setback.
WHEN A FAMILY TRAGEDY CHANGED HER DREAM
Kiran was the eldest among six siblings and always wanted to become a teacher. She says she was good at studies, especially languages, enjoyed sports and had big dreams for her future.
But in 2006, while she was appearing for her Class 12 board exams, her father passed away suddenly. The responsibility of supporting the family fell on her shoulders, forcing her to put her dreams on hold.
In search of work and stability, Kiran came to Delhi in 2008 at a young age with the help of an agent. However, after finding the situation unsafe and uncomfortable, she left and struggled to find her own way, moving between Ghaziabad and Faridabad before eventually settling down.
FROM TUTORING TO A RS 15,000 LIBRARY JOB
Kiran refused to give up despite difficult circumstances. Using her knowledge of science and mathematics, she started tutoring children in Noida.
Later, she worked at a company in Noida’s Sector 63, packing chargers for long shifts of eight to 12 hours, earning around Rs 12,000 to Rs 13,000 per month.
In 2017, she finally got a more stable job at a school library in Noida. The role involved a fixed nine-and-a-half-hour shift, from 7 am to 4:30 pm, and paid her Rs 15,000 every month.
For Kiran, it felt like life was finally becoming stable.
But the COVID-19 lockdown changed everything. With schools shutting down, she lost her job and once again had to search for a new source of income.
HOW DIGITAL PLATFORMS CHANGED HER LIFE
After the lockdown, Kiran returned to domestic work, taking up sweeping, mopping and cooking jobs in residential societies.
However, even after working in four to five homes, she earned only around Rs 12,000 to Rs 13,000 per month. The turning point came when she decided to move from traditional domestic work to digital gig work.
Kiran registered herself on online domestic help platforms, including InstaHelp, which connected workers with households looking for services.
The change was immediate.
The woman who once earned Rs 15,000 after spending an entire day at a school library now earns between Rs 30,000 and Rs 36,000 per month by choosing work according to her availability.
A NEW PATH TO FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE
The rise of gig work has also raised concerns around job security, worker protection and benefits. However, for many workers like Kiran, digital platforms have created opportunities that were previously difficult to access.
Today, Kiran says her life has improved significantly. She is able to provide better opportunities for her two children, a 14-year-old son and an 11-year-old daughter, and send them to a good school.
Her journey shows that technology does not only create opportunities for highly skilled professionals. For many workers, especially women looking for flexible employment, digital platforms can become a bridge between struggle and financial independence.
Kiran’s story is a reminder that adapting to change can sometimes open doors that traditional paths cannot.
There is a growing debate around the world about the gig economy, a system where people work independently through digital platforms instead of traditional full-time jobs.
Can these platforms create real opportunities for workers who have limited access to formal employment? Kiran from Noida is one example of how digital platforms are changing the way people earn and work.
Kiran, who studied science and mathematics until Class 12, has worked several jobs throughout her life, from tutoring children to working in school libraries and factories. But today, she is no longer working a fixed office schedule. Instead, she earns more than double her previous salary through gig work, including sweeping, dusting and cooking in homes through digital platforms.
Her journey, however, began with a major setback.
WHEN A FAMILY TRAGEDY CHANGED HER DREAM
Kiran was the eldest among six siblings and always wanted to become a teacher. She says she was good at studies, especially languages, enjoyed sports and had big dreams for her future.
But in 2006, while she was appearing for her Class 12 board exams, her father passed away suddenly. The responsibility of supporting the family fell on her shoulders, forcing her to put her dreams on hold.
In search of work and stability, Kiran came to Delhi in 2008 at a young age with the help of an agent. However, after finding the situation unsafe and uncomfortable, she left and struggled to find her own way, moving between Ghaziabad and Faridabad before eventually settling down.
FROM TUTORING TO A RS 15,000 LIBRARY JOB
Kiran refused to give up despite difficult circumstances. Using her knowledge of science and mathematics, she started tutoring children in Noida.
Later, she worked at a company in Noida’s Sector 63, packing chargers for long shifts of eight to 12 hours, earning around Rs 12,000 to Rs 13,000 per month.
In 2017, she finally got a more stable job at a school library in Noida. The role involved a fixed nine-and-a-half-hour shift, from 7 am to 4:30 pm, and paid her Rs 15,000 every month.
For Kiran, it felt like life was finally becoming stable.
But the COVID-19 lockdown changed everything. With schools shutting down, she lost her job and once again had to search for a new source of income.
HOW DIGITAL PLATFORMS CHANGED HER LIFE
After the lockdown, Kiran returned to domestic work, taking up sweeping, mopping and cooking jobs in residential societies.
However, even after working in four to five homes, she earned only around Rs 12,000 to Rs 13,000 per month. The turning point came when she decided to move from traditional domestic work to digital gig work.
Kiran registered herself on online domestic help platforms, including InstaHelp, which connected workers with households looking for services.
The change was immediate.
The woman who once earned Rs 15,000 after spending an entire day at a school library now earns between Rs 30,000 and Rs 36,000 per month by choosing work according to her availability.
A NEW PATH TO FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE
The rise of gig work has also raised concerns around job security, worker protection and benefits. However, for many workers like Kiran, digital platforms have created opportunities that were previously difficult to access.
Today, Kiran says her life has improved significantly. She is able to provide better opportunities for her two children, a 14-year-old son and an 11-year-old daughter, and send them to a good school.
Her journey shows that technology does not only create opportunities for highly skilled professionals. For many workers, especially women looking for flexible employment, digital platforms can become a bridge between struggle and financial independence.
Kiran’s story is a reminder that adapting to change can sometimes open doors that traditional paths cannot.
