Parliament Question: Welfare of Gig Workers

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4901 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026 WELFARE OF GIG WORKERS 4901. SMT. D K ARUNA: Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state: (a)whether the Government is aware of the gig workers strike across the country due to low wage and incentives paid by their companies; (b) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken/being taken by the Government to safeguard their jobs and provide safety to them; and (c) whether the Government has any plan to bring the said workers under any category/sector, like skilled and semi-skilled laboures and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE) (a) to (c): 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 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 Code provides for setting up of a Social Security Fund to finance these welfare schemes. The Code also has provisions to constitute a National Social Security Board for the purposes of the welfare of gig workers and platform workers. Contd..2/-:: 2 :: Multiple rounds of deliberations have been conducted with Aggregators, Knowledge Partners and Platform Workers Unions/Associations and State Government/UTs for social security framework for gig and platform workers. 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 17.03.2026, around 8.86 lakh platform workers are registered on eShram portal. *****