A Young Woman's Journey to Independence in Gurgaon
She arrives early, a large green bag heavy on her shoulders. Inside, five chemical cleaners and eight tools, including a broom, ready for the day's work. "Namaste sir, good morning. Can I keep my kit bag inside?" she asks politely. This is her standard greeting, learned during five days of coaching after joining the Pronto platform.
The Daily Grind and Financial Reality
At just 21 years old, this Dalit woman from Bihar now lives in Gurgaon. She moved here about a year ago, seeking work and escape from family pressures. "It feels good to be working," she says quickly. "Otherwise, my family would be getting me married off."
Her family originally hails from Bihar but now resides in West Bengal. She found opportunity through Pronto six months ago, just as many Bengali Muslims were leaving the area. This timing created a spike in demand for her services.
Financial promises don't always match reality. The platform promises Rs 36,000 monthly for 12-hour shifts or Rs 27,000 for 8-hour shifts, with two days off. Yet her actual earnings typically reach about Rs 800 daily. During Diwali week, working up to 16 hours daily, she managed Rs 45,000 including incentives.
Challenges Beyond the Paycheck
The heavy cleaning bag represents her biggest complaint. "Forget eating in peace, there is hardly any time to even rest for a few minutes," she explains. Between jobs, she often gets no break, not even for lunch. When exhaustion hits, she must tell her manager she won't take slots for some time.
Her manager has promised improvements: lighter bags and scheduled lunch breaks between jobs. All workers on Pronto are women, labeled "professionals" by the platform. She travels to gigs riding pillion on a bike with a male rider, while women who can ride use Yulu electric bikes.
Client Experiences and Living Situation
Unpleasant experiences mostly occur in affluent homes. "They act as though they have bought us for that half hour or one hour," she observes. These clients demand deep cleaning that would take hours, despite workers having only basic chemicals.
In contrast, young male professionals living alone or with other men prove most polite. "They always tell me to do only as much as is reasonably possible," she notes. "They never raise their voices."
She shares a room in Gurgaon's Sector 52 with another Pronto worker. They pay Rs 5,500 monthly rent and keep their jobs secret. "We remove our uniforms and leave the kit bag at the hub," she reveals. "People will talk if they get to know, and the landlord may want to increase the rent."
Future Plans and Family Support
Her uncle and aunt, who moved to Gurgaon earlier, told her parents women could work in the city. This made her departure from home easier. Now she sends at least Rs 10,000 home every month.
"Right now, I don't mind doing this," she states. "But if I find 4-5 good homes who will employ me long-term, I will switch. In a way I will get to choose who I work for, unlike now."
Her story highlights how gig work opens doors for women seeking independence, while revealing the substantial challenges they face in India's growing platform economy.
