**Executive Summary:**
The Ministry of Labour and Employment addresses a parliamentary inquiry regarding social security for online platform gig workers. The Code on Social Security, 2020, defines gig and platform workers, outlining provisions for social security measures. The e-Shram portal was launched on August 26, 2021, to create a national database for unorganised workers. The financial year 2025-26 budget includes welfare measures such as e-Shram registration, identity cards, and Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) healthcare benefits extension.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Legislative Framework:**
* The Code on Social Security, 2020, defines gig and platform workers, enabling social security measures.
* Measures include life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, and old age protection.
* **E-Shram Portal:**
* Launched on August 26, 2021, to create a national database of unorganised workers, including gig and platform workers.
* Provides a Universal Account Number (UAN) to registered workers based on self-declaration.
* **Financial Year 2025-26 Budget:**
* Key measures announced for gig workers' welfare, including e-Shram registration, identity cards, and AB-PMJAY healthcare benefits.
* AB-PMJAY scheme for platform workers has not been launched.
* **Ex-Gratia for Accidental Death/Disability:**
* Guidelines issued on August 24, 2023, for processing claims through e-Shram, aligned with Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY).
* Workers registered on e-Shram between August 26, 2021, and March 31, 2022, are entitled to ex-gratia for accidents during that period.
* Compensation: ₹2 lakh for accidental death or total disability, ₹1 lakh for partial disability.
* **National Social Security Board:**
* The Code on Social Security, 2020, has provisions for constituting a National Social Security Board for gig and platform worker welfare.
* **Registration Numbers (As of 06.08.2025):**
* Maharashtra has the highest number of registrations on e-Shram portal with 78,207.
* Andaman and Nicobar Islands has 109 registrations.
* Lakshadweep has the lowest with 3 registrations.
**Impact Analysis:**
* **Gig and Platform Workers:**
* *Impact:* Access to social security benefits, including health, accident, and disability coverage, as well as old age protection. Registration on e-Shram portal and potential access to AB-PMJAY benefits.
* *Action Required:* Register on the e-Shram portal to avail benefits and provide accurate self-declaration information.
* **Ministry of Labour and Employment:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for implementing the Code on Social Security, 2020, managing the e-Shram portal, and potentially establishing the National Social Security Board.
* *Action Required:* Ensure the effective implementation of the Code, maintain and update the e-Shram portal, and establish the National Social Security Board.
Key Entities Referenced
Code on Social Security, 2020: A legislative act enacted by the Parliament of India that provides a framework for social security measures for gig and platform workers.
e-Shram portal: A portal launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment to create a comprehensive national database of unorganised workers, including gig and platform workers.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY): A health insurance scheme aimed at providing health coverage to gig workers.
Ayushman Bharat: An initiative that includes the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), focused on providing health benefits.
Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY): An accidental death and disability insurance scheme.
National Social Security Board: A board to be constituted for the welfare of gig workers and platform workers as per the Code on Social Security, 2020.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question regarding social security for gig workers was raised.
Ministry of Labour and Employment: The government ministry responsible for labour and employment policies and programs.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3658
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025
SOCIAL SECURITY FOR ONLINE PLATFORM GIG WORKERS
3658. SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY:
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government has formally launched the proposed
Social Security Scheme for online platform gig workers, as
announced and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the details of the total number of gig and platform workers
currently registered on the e- Shram portal, State/UT-wise along
with the percentage that comprises workers associated with app-
based delivery, ride-hailing and freelance digital services;
(c) whether the Government has taken any steps to integrate the said
workers under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)
and if so, the number of gig workers received Ayushman Bharat
health cards;
(d) whether any financial or insurance assistance has been provided
by the Government to gig workers who suffered loss of livelihood,
disability or health issues during or after the COVID-19 pandemic;
and
(e) whether the Government is considering for setting up of a
dedicated Social Security Board for Gig and Platform Workers and
if so, the details thereof along with the current status of said
proposal?
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 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 Ministry of Labour and Employment had launched e-
Shram portal on 26.08.2021 for creation of a Comprehensive
National Database of Unorganised Workers including platform
workers, migrant workers, agriculture workers etc. The e-Shram
portal is meant to register and support the unorganised workers
by providing them a Universal Account Number (UAN) on a self-
declaration basis. The State/UT-wise details of gig and platform
workers registered on e-Shram portal is annexed.
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 Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). The AB-
PMJAY scheme for platform workers has not been launched.
The guidelines to process accidental death/ disability
claims on e-Shram through ex-gratia, in line with Pradhan Mantri
Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), were issued on 24.08.2023. As per
the guidelines, unorganised workers registered on e-Shram
between the period from 26.08.2021 and 31.03.2022 and those who
met with an accident during the aforesaid period shall be entitled
for Rupees Two lakh in case of accidental death or total
irrecoverable disability and Rupees One lakh in case of partial
irrecoverable disability.
The Code on Social Security, 2020 have provisions to
constitute a National Social Security Board for the purposes of the
welfare of gig workers and platform workers.
* *****Annexure
Annexure referred in reply to part (a) to (e) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3658
for 11.08.2025
State-wise details of platform workers registered on e-Shram portal (as on 06.08.2025)
Sl. No. State/UT Number of Registrations on e-Shram
portal
1. ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS 109
2. ANDHRA PRADESH 26,501
3. ARUNACHAL PRADESH 369
4. ASSAM 7,029
5. BIHAR 15,360
6. CHANDIGARH 419
7. CHHATTISGARH 2,569
8. DELHI 10,310
9. GOA 670
10. GUJARAT 17,279
11. HARYANA 6,990
12. HIMACHAL PRADESH 773
13. JAMMU AND KASHMIR 1,661
14. JHARKHAND 5,850
15. KARNATAKA 12,308
16. KERALA 5,646
17. LADAKH 21
18. LAKSHADWEEP 3
19. MADHYA PRADESH 13,040
20. MAHARASHTRA 78,207
21. MANIPUR 457
22. MEGHALAYA 837
23. MIZORAM 98
24. NAGALAND 369
25. ODISHA 4,176
26. PUDUCHERRY 236
27. PUNJAB 4,735
28. RAJASTHAN 15,605
29. SIKKIM 217
30. TAMIL NADU 16,794
31. TELANGANA 12,323
32. THE DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI AND 63
DAMAN AND DIU
33. TRIPURA 1,147
34. UTTAR PRADESH 21,812
35. UTTARAKHAND 2,141
36. WEST BENGAL 9,111
*****