Labour ministry working on comprehensive policy to provide social security cover to gig workers: Mandaviya

The government is working on a comprehensive strategy to provide social security to gig and platform workers, Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Sunday.

Some of the measures that are being put in place include registration of gig and platform workers on the eShram portal and formal recognition of such workers under the Social Security Code.

Mandaviya took a comprehensive review on the existing provisions for gig and platform workers and progress on the government’s vision for a universal social security as outlined in the Social Security Code. Labour secretary Sumita Dawra attended the meeting along with other senior officials of the ministry.



According to the statement issued by the ministry after the meeting, Mandaviya-led ministry of labour and employment is closely working with aggregators and other stakeholders to develop a robust framework that aligns with the evolving nature of work and provides adequate protection to gig and platform workers.

“In a significant move aimed at safeguarding the welfare of gig and platform workers, the government is actively exploring various avenues to ensure these workers are covered under social security schemes,” Mandaviya said.

“We are working on a comprehensive strategy to provide them with the social security they deserve as they form a crucial part of our workforce,” he added.

Commenting on the initiatives being undertaken to facilitate the implementation of social security measures, Mandaviya said that the registration of workers will be undertaken on the eShram Portal.


“Aggregators, companies that employ gig and platform workers, will be asked to take the lead in registering their workers on this portal through an online window which will be made available for them to ensure a smooth and efficient registration process,” Mandaviya said.

Union minister Mandaviya also underscored the importance of the Code on Social Security, which, for the first time, defines gig and platform workers in India. “This is a significant step towards acknowledging and formalising the roles of gig and platform workers within our economy,” he noted.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to inclusive growth and the empowerment of all sections of the workforce, including gig and platform workers, Mandaviya said that the government is determined to ensure that every worker in India, irrespective of their employment status, is granted the right to social security".