This document summarizes the Indian government's response to questions in Lok Sabha regarding gig and platform workers. The Ministry of Labour and Employment acknowledges the significant and growing number of gig and platform workers, citing a NITI Aayog report from June 2022 estimating 7.7 million workers in 2020-21, projected to rise to 23.5 million by 2029-30. The Code on Social Security, 2020, defines gig and platform workers and enables the framing of social security measures including life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, and old age protection. The government's Budget Announcement for financial year 2025-26 includes measures for gig worker welfare such as eShram portal registration, identity cards, and extending healthcare benefits under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, provided this information.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Labour and Employment: The Indian government ministry responsible for labour and employment policies.
Code on Social Security, 2020: A law enacted by the Parliament of India that provides a framework for social security, including provisions for gig and platform workers.
NITI Aayog: A policy think tank of the Government of India.
India's Booming Gig and Platform Economy: A report published by NITI Aayog in June 2022 regarding the gig and platform economy in India.
eShram portal: A government portal for the registration of unorganized sector workers, including gig workers.
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (ABPMJAY): A health insurance scheme in India, being extended to gig workers.
SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE: Minister of State for Labour and Employment
Parliament: The legislative body of the Government of India
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3477
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025
GIG AND PLATFORM WORKERS
3477. SHRI RAJESH VERMA:
DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:
SHRI NARESH GANPAT MHASKE:
SHRI RAVINDRA DATTARAM WAIKAR:
SMT. SHAMBHAVI:
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to
state:
(a)whether the Government has conducted any assessment to
quantify the significant and growing number of gig and platform
workers in the country, recognizing their vital contribution to the
modern economy and if so, the details thereof;
(b)the details of the current status of formulating a dedicated social
security framework for the said workers under the visionary Code
on Social Security, 2020, to provide them with benefits like health
insurance and old-age protection;
(c)the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government
taking to ensure that gig and platform workers receive fair
earnings, safe working conditions and adequate grievance
redressal mechanisms in collaboration with the aggregator
platforms;
(d)whether the Government is planning specific skill development
initiatives tailored to the needs of platform workers to enhance
their long-term career prospects and income-earning potential and
if so, the details thereof; and
(e)the details of the Government’s long-term vision to create a
supportive ecosystem for the gig economy, balancing the flexibility
it offers?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)
(a) to (e): As per an estimation by NITI Aayog vide its report titled
“India`s Booming Gig and Platform Economy” published in June 2022,
the number of gig workers and platform workers in the country
Contd..2/-:: 2 ::
was7.7 million in 2020-21 which is expected to rise to 23.5 million by
2029-30. The report is available at
https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2022-
06/25th_June_Final_Report_27062022.pdf
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 been
enacted by the Parliament.
The Code provides for framing of suitable social security
measures for gig workers and platform workers on matters relating
to life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity
benefits, old age protection, etc.
The Government in its Budget Announcement for financial
year 2025-26 has announced several key measures for the welfare of
Gig workers of online platforms (platform workers) viz. their
registration on the e-Shram portal, issuance of identity cards, and
extension of health care benefits under Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan
Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
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