The government has also asked the states to implement the labour codes, considering the requirement of social security for all workers
Gig workers in India may soon get the benefit of social security benefits, as the government contemplates launching a social security system for them. The first image that comes to mind with the term ‘gig worker’ is typical of a food delivery person. However, a gig worker is anyone who is in a temporary job with no social security, and the nature of the job is also not permanent.
As per Niti Ayog’s 2022 report 'India’s Booming Gig and Platform Economy', gig workers are expected to be around 23.5 million (2.35 crore) by 2029-30. The gig economy is also expected to swell by three times in the next 5-6 years compared to 2022.
As per a Times of India report, the central government is preparing a social security system, especially for gig workers, where gig worker employers will be asked to deduct a certain percentage from the workers’ salary/payment and deposit it in the Employees’ Pension Scheme and government may also contribute to it with an around 3-4 per cent contribution.
Reportedly, the gig workers are covered under the labour codes, but due to a few states not being on board, the implementation has been delayed. The government has also asked the states to implement the labour codes, considering the requirement of social security for all workers.
According to the Code of Social Security 2020, social security includes income security as well as healthcare for the workers. It says, “Social security means the measures of protection afforded to employees, unorganised workers, gig workers, and platform workers to ensure access to health care and to provide income security, particularly in cases of old age, unemployment, sickness, invalidity, work injury, maternity or loss of a breadwinner by means of rights conferred on them and schemes framed, under this Code”.
In October 2024, Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also said that the ministry is exploring all the options to provide social security to gig workers. A committee was also formed at the time to make a framework.
In December 2024, Union Labour Secretary Sumita Dawra also said that the government is preparing a scheme for the gig and platform workers to include them under social security coverage. As of now, there is no scheme available for these gig jobs where no traditional employer-employee relationship exists.
Social security for gig and platform workers has been on the government‘s agenda for some time. The previous statement of the minister regarding launching a social security scheme for gig workers indicates that a framework or the scheme may be announced before the budget this year which is scheduled for February 1, 2025.