**Executive Summary:**
This document summarizes a response to a parliamentary question regarding social security benefits for workers in the unorganized sector. It details the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PMSYM) scheme, the Code on Social Security, 2020, budget allocations, and consultations with stakeholders. Data on PMSYM beneficiaries in Tamil Nadu as of July 10, 2025, is also provided.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PMSYM) Scheme:**
* Launched in February 2019 to provide old age protection to unorganized sector workers.
* 69,490 beneficiaries enrolled in Tamil Nadu as of July 10, 2025 (district-wise details annexed).
* **Code on Social Security, 2020:**
* Defines gig workers and platform workers.
* Provides for social security measures for these workers, including life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, and old age protection.
* **Budget Announcement 2025-26:**
* Key measures for gig worker welfare: registration on eShram portal, issuance of identity cards, and healthcare benefits under Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (ABPMJAY).
* **Budget Allocation:**
* Rs. 299.80 crore allocated in the Ministry of Labour and Employment for the welfare of unorganized workers in the current financial year.
* **Consultations:**
* Multiple rounds of deliberations held with aggregators, knowledge partners, platform workers' unions/associations, and State Governments/UTs regarding the social security framework for gig/platform workers.
**Impact Analysis:**
* **Unorganized Sector Workers (including Gig and Platform Workers):**
* Impact: Access to old age protection through PMSYM, potential social security benefits as defined in the Code on Social Security, 2020, and welfare measures announced in the 2025-26 budget (e.g., eShram registration, ABPMJAY).
* Action Required: Enrollment in PMSYM (if eligible), registration on the eShram portal, and availing of ABPMJAY benefits.
* **Government (Ministry of Labour and Employment):**
* Impact: Responsible for implementing and overseeing social security schemes and measures for unorganized, gig, and platform workers.
* Action Required: Ensure effective implementation of the Code on Social Security, 2020, allocate and disburse funds for welfare schemes, and continue consultations with stakeholders.
* **Aggregators and Online Platforms:**
* Impact: May be required to contribute to social security schemes for gig and platform workers.
* Action Required: Participate in consultations with the government and stakeholders, and comply with social security measures outlined in the Code on Social Security, 2020.
* **State Governments/UTs:**
* Impact: Responsible for assisting in the implementation of social security schemes within their jurisdictions.
* Action Required: Collaborate with the central government in implementing schemes, facilitate registration and enrollment of workers, and participate in consultations.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Labour and Employment: The Indian government ministry responsible for labour policy and employment.
Tamil Nadu: A state in southern India, mentioned in the context of social security benefits for unorganised sector workers.
Dharmapuri Constituency, Tamil Nadu: A specific constituency within Tamil Nadu, used to specify the scope of the question about social security benefits.
Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PMSYM): A scheme launched in February 2019 to provide old age protection to workers in the unorganised sector.
Code on Social Security, 2020: An act enacted by the Parliament of India which defines gig workers and platform workers and provides provisions for their social security.
eShram portal: A portal used for the registration of gig workers and platform workers.
Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (ABPMJAY): A health scheme under which healthcare benefits will be provided to gig workers.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question regarding social security benefits was raised.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1284
TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR WORKERS IN UNORGANISED
SECTOR
1284. SHRI MANI A:
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to
state:
(a)the number of workers in the unorganised sector provided with
social security benefits during the last five years in Tamil Nadu
including Dharmapuri Constituency;
(b)whether the Government is taking any special measures to extend
benefits to gig workers employed in app-based services, delivery
services, and freelancing and if so, the details thereof;
(c)the details of the budget allocation for welfare schemes benefiting
gig and unorganised sector workers in the current financial year;
and
(d)whether the Government has held any consultations with
stakeholders regarding social security measures for gig workers
and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)
(a) to (d): The Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM)
scheme was launched in February, 2019 in order to provide old age
protection to the workers of unorganised sector. The total number of
beneficiaries enrolled under PM-SYM scheme in Tamil Nadu is 69,490
as on 10.07.2025. The district wise detail is annexed.
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
health care benefits under Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan
Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). The budget allocation in the M/o Labour
and Employment for welfare of unorganized worker in the current
Financial Year is Rs. 299.80 crore.
Multiple rounds of deliberations have been conducted with
aggregators, Knowledge Partners, and Platform Workers'
Unions/Associations and State Governments/UTs for social security
framework of gig & platform workers.
* *****Annexure
Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) to (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question for 1284 for
28.07.2025.
District-wise number of beneficiaries in the State of Tamil Nadu (as on 10.07.2025)
Sl. No. Districts Registration
1 Pudukkottai 3,633
2 Vellore 3,476
3 Thiruvarur 3,298
4 Cuddalore 3,099
5 Villupuram 2,789
6 Erode 2,771
7 Tuticorin 2,736
8 Krishnagiri 2,587
9 Coimbatore 2,486
10 Virudhunagar 2,448
11 Tiruchirappalli 2,409
12 Kanniyakumari 2,345
13 Dindigul 2,177
14 Dharmapuri 2,166
15 Salem 2,155
16 Tirunelveli 2,146
17 Tiruvannamalai 2,061
18 Ramanathapuram 1,999
19 Madurai 1,919
20 Kanchipuram 1,877
21 Theni 1,741
22 Thanjavur 1,696
23 Tiruppur 1,637
24 Thiruvallur 1,626
25 Chennai 1,579
26 Chengalpattu 1,575
27 Nagapattinam 1,559
28 Namakkal 1,451
29 Ariyalur 1,328
30 Karur 1,173
31 Perambalur 1,070
32 Sivaganga 941
33 The Nilgiris 850
34 Ranipet 251
35 Tenkasi 188
36 Kallakurichi 101
37 Tirupathur 95
38 Mayiladuthurai 52
Total 69,490
Data Source: CSC as on 10.07.2025.
*****