Parliament Question: Classification of gig workers

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3139 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2026 CLASSIFICATION OF GIG WORKERS 3139. SHRI RAJINDER GUPTA: Will the Minister of Labour and Employment be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has evolved criteria to classify gig workers and if so, the details of such classification framework; (b) the details of gig workers currently employed across various platforms and companies; (c) whether Government proposes to initiate a programme for providing social security benefits to gig workers; (d) if so, the details thereof including coverage, benefits envisaged and the timeline for implementation; and (e) if not, the reasons therefor and the steps being taken to address the absence of social protection for gig workers? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE) (a) to (e): For the first time, the definition of ‘gig workers’ and ‘platform workers’ and provisions related to the same have been provided in the Code on Social Security, 2020 which has come into force on 21.11.2025. As per the Code, the ‘gig worker’ has been defined as a person who performs work or participates in a work arrangement and earns from such activities outside of traditional employer- employee relationship. The Code provides for framing of suitable welfare schemes for gig workers and platform workers on matters relating to life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits, old age protection, etc. The Code provides for setting up a Social Security Fund to finance these welfare schemes. The Code also have provisions to constitute a National Social Security Board for the purposes of the welfare of gig workers and platform workers. Contd..2/-:: 2 :: The Ministry of Labour and Employment had launched eShram portal on 26.08.2021 for creation of a comprehensive National Database of Unorganised Workers including platform workers, migrant workers etc. The eShram portal is meant to register and support the unorganised workers by providing them a Universal Account Number (UAN) on a self-declaration basis. The Ministry of Labour and Employment has also launched the eShram-‘One-Stop- Solution’ that entails integration of different social security/welfare schemes at single portal i.e., eShram. This is envisaged to enable unorganised workers registered on eShram to access social security schemes and see benefits availed by them so far, through eShram. To maximise registration of platform workers on eShram portal, three nationwide special registration drives were held during the months of April, May and August-September, 2025 in collaboration with States and Union Territories. As on 12.03.2026, over 8.84 lakh platform workers are registered on eShram portal. Multiple rounds of deliberations have been conducted with Aggregators, Knowledge Partners and Platform Workers Unions/Associations and State Government/UTs for social security framework of gig and platform workers. *****