Is Social Security Finally Coming for Gig and Platform Workers? Here’s What You Need to Know

The government has set up a committee to develop a framework for giving social security and welfare benefits to gig and platform workers, Parliament was informed on Monday.

Gig and platform workers are specified for the first time in the Code on Social Security 2020, which Parliament passed. In a written response to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje stated that the Code includes measures for social security and welfare for gig and platform workers. “The Code establishes appropriate social security provisions for gig and platform workers, including life and disability insurance, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, and old age protection. 

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has also advised aggregators to register themselves and the platform workers they employ on the e-Shram site. On August 26, 2021, the ministry launched the eShram platform, which would create a complete National Database of Unorganised Workers vetted and seeded with Aadhaar.

The Eshram platform is designed to register and assist unorganized workers by giving them a Universal Account Number. In October this year, over 60,000 registrations occurred on eShram daily, with a single-day registration of 97,839 on October 9, according to Karandlaje in response to a separate question in the Lok Sabha. As of November 19, approximately 30.4 crore unorganized workers had enrolled on the eShram platform through self-declaration.

“Integration of social security and welfare schemes with eShram is a continuous process,” according to the minister. She said that from its commencement in October and as of November 18, 46,10,233 Labour Identification Numbers (LINs) have been provided online to firms and employers registered on the Shram Suvidha Portal (SSP). The site has simplified compliance by allowing commercial organizations to register, license, and file returns online, as well as a randomized risk-based inspection system, which reduces subjectivity for law enforcement authorities. “Since its establishment and up to November 18, 2024, 1,20,663 licenses have been granted online. Furthermore, 4,35,376 returns were filed online,” the minister stated.