Lok Sabha Question No. 1710 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-13
Subject: Guidelines to Industries
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Dean Kuriakose

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1710 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2023

## GUIDELINES TO INDUSTRIES

1710. ADV. DEAN KURIAKOSE:

Will  the  Minister  of  LABOUR  AND  EMPLOYMENT  be  pleased  to state:

- (a)whether the Government intends to conduct a detailed study on the condition of persons engaged in the 'gig' economy including their average  wages,  average  working  hours  and  provisions  for  social security;
- (b)if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)whether  the  Government  intends  to  issue  guidelines  to  industries like delivery and taxi services, regulating the working conditions in the gig economy;
- (d)if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e)whether  the  Government  proposes  to  bring  them  under  the  social security net, including free medical treatment and cash assistance under ESIC by ensuring payment by employers and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

- (a) to (e): NITI  Aayog  in  its  report  titled  'India's  Booming  Gig  and Platform Economy' has estimated that the gig workforce is expected to expand to 23.5 million by 2029-30 from 7.7 million in 2020-21. The study report sheds light on the various social protection approaches taken around the world for gig and platform workers and how they can pave  the  way  for  social  protection  measures  for  gig  and  platform workers in India and recommended designing initiatives such as paid sick leave, health & accident insurance, old age support and support to workers in a situation of irregularity of work.

For the first time, the definition of 'gig worker' and 'platform worker' has been provided in the Code on Social Security, 2020. The Code  on  Social  Security,  2020  envisages  social  security  benefits through formulation of schemes for gig and platform workers and can be  implemented  through  Employees'  Provident  Fund  Organisation (EPFO)  and  Employees'  State  Insurance  Corporation  (ESIC)  which hitherto provides social security benefits to organised sector workers. The Code also provides for framing of suitable social security schemes 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  also  provides  for  setting  up  a  Social Security  Fund  and  one  of  the  sources  of  fund,  is  contribution  from aggregator  between  1  to  2%  of  annual  turnover  of  an  aggregator subject  to  the  limit  of  5%  of  the  amount  paid  or  payable  by  an aggregator to such workers.

The Government has launched e-Shram portal on 26.08.2021 for registration and creation of a Comprehensive National Database of Unorganized Workers including gig workers and platform workers. It allows a person to register himself or herself on the portal on self-declaration basis, which is spread across around 400 occupations.

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