Govt proposes 90-day work requirement for gig workers to get social security

The Centre has proposed that gig and platform workers must complete a minimum number of working days in a financial year to qualify for social security benefits under the new Social Security Code, according to draft rules released for public consultation.

Under the proposal, a gig or platform worker must be engaged with a single aggregator for at least 90 days in a financial year to become eligible for benefits. For those working across multiple platforms, the threshold has been set at 120 days, reported TOI.

The draft rules define engagement from the first day a worker begins earning income through an aggregator, irrespective of the amount earned. In cases where a worker is associated with more than one aggregator, days of work will be calculated cumulatively. Notably, if a worker is active on multiple platforms on the same day, each engagement will be counted separately.


The rules clarify that eligible workers include those engaged directly by an aggregator as well as those working through associate companies, subsidiaries, limited liability partnerships, or third-party entities.

The proposed framework flows from the labour codes, which mandate social security coverage for gig and platform workers, including health, life and personal accident insurance, along with any additional welfare measures the government may introduce. The labour ministry has already begun registering gig workers on the e-Shram portal. Registered workers will be brought under the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme and may also become eligible for pension benefits at a later stage, subject to contributions from both platforms and workers.

As per the draft, all gig workers above the age of 16 will be required to complete Aadhaar-linked registration. Aggregators will be responsible for sharing details of their gig and platform workers on a designated central portal to enable the generation of a universal account number, unless the worker is already registered. Every eligible registered worker will also be issued an identity card, in digital or physical form.

The draft notification also outlines the proposed composition of the National Social Security Board, which will oversee the assessment of the gig and platform workforce, identify emerging types of aggregators, and recommend welfare policies. The board will include five government-nominated representatives each from associations of unorganised sector workers and employers.

Gig and platform workers will cease to be eligible for social security benefits once they turn 60, or if they fail to meet the minimum engagement requirement of 90 days with a single aggregator or 120 days across multiple aggregators in the previous financial year.

The draft rules are open for public feedback before finalisation.

With inputs from TOI