This document summarizes the Indian government's response to a parliamentary question regarding social security benefits for gig workers, answered on July 21, 2025. The Ministry of Labour and Employment acknowledges the growing gig economy, citing a NITI Aayog report from June 2022 estimating 7.7 million gig workers in 2020-21, projected to reach 23.5 million by 2029-30. The response indicates awareness that many platform-based gig workers lack basic social security despite working long hours.
The Code on Social Security, 2020, provides a framework for social security measures for gig and platform workers, covering life and disability, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, and old-age protection. The government's budget announcement for FY 2025-26 outlines specific measures including registration on the eShram portal, issuance of identity cards, and extension of healthcare benefits under Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (ABPMJAY).
Key Entities Referenced
Gig Economy: Refers to a labor market characterized by the prevalence of short-term contracts or freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs. The policy document discusses social security benefits for workers in the Gig Economy.
SHRI K C VENUGOPAL: Member of LOK SABHA who raised a question regarding social security benefits for gig workers.
SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE: Minister of State for Labour and Employment who provided the answer to the question regarding social security benefits for gig workers.
NITI Aayog: A policy think tank of the Government of India, which published a report titled 'India’s Booming Gig and Platform Economy' estimating the number of gig workers.
India’s Booming Gig and Platform Economy: A report published by NITI Aayog in June 2022 that provides data and insights into the gig and platform economy in India.
Code on Social Security, 2020: A legislative act enacted by the Parliament of India that provides definitions for gig workers and platform workers and proposes social security measures for them.
eShram portal: A government portal for registering unorganized workers, including gig workers, to facilitate the delivery of social security benefits.
Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (ABPMJAY): A national health insurance scheme providing health care benefits, extended to gig workers as part of the government's welfare measures.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 27
TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR GIG WORKERS
27. SHRI K C VENUGOPAL:
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to
state:
(a)whether the Government has any data on the number of workers
engaged in Gig Economy, and if so, the details thereof alongwith
number of Gig workforce, State-wise;
(b)whether the Government is aware that the majority of the platform-
based gig workers work for eight to ten hours daily and yet do not
receive any basic social security benefits;
(c)the details of the concrete steps taken by the Government to
extend essential social security coverage to these gig workers,
including any regulatory measures or amendments under
consideration;
(d)whether the Government is exploring a reclassification of gig
workers to bring them within the ambit of existing social security
schemes and if so, the details thereof along with specific proposals
being evaluated; and
(e)the timeline by which the Government expects to implement a
comprehensive framework ensuring fair social security benefits for
platform-based gig workers?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)
(a) 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 was
7.7 million in 2020-21 which is expected to rise to 23.5 million by
2029-30.
(b) 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 been
enacted by the Parliament.
Contd..2/-:: 2 ::
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).
*****