Lok Sabha Question No. 1239 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-25
Subject: Social Security to Gig Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: A. Ganeshamurthi, Manne Srinivas Reddy, Jayanta Kumar Roy, Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, Komati Reddy Venkat Reddy

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1239

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2022

## SOCIAL SECURITY TO GIG WORKERS

## 1239. SHRI A. GANESHAMURTHI:

SHRI MANNE SRINIVAS REDDY:

DR. JAYANTA KUMAR ROY:

SHRIMATI SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO:

SHRI KOMATI REDDY VENKAT REDDY:

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

- (a)the estimate of number of gig workforce engaged in the country during the last three years, in the category of low-skilled, medium-skilled and high-skilled jobs, category and year-wise ;
- (b)whether complaints are being received that gig workers are not getting any social security under the new Social Security Code and the rules made thereunder, if so, the details thereof and response of the Government thereto;
- (c)whether  the  Centre's  policy  thinktank  NITI  Aayog  has  recommended  steps  to provide social security including paid leave, occupational disease and accident insurance, support during irregularity of work and pension plans for the country's gig  workforce,  which  is  expected  to  grow  to  2.35  crore  by  2029-30,  if  so  the details thereof;
- (d)whether the number of gig workers is estimated to be 77 lakh in 2020-21 and the country  requires  a  framework  that  balances  the  flexibility  offered  by  platforms while also ensuring social security of workers, if so, the details and the present status thereof;
- (e)whether the Government is aware of rapid increase of Gig and Platform workers in the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (f)whether the Government has made any attempts to specify a 'minimum mandatory entitlement' for gig and platform workers, if so, the details thereof; and
- (g)whether  the  Government  has  made  an  attempt  to  develop  a  framework  to guarantee  universal  social  security  for  gig  and  platform  workers  with  firm entitlements, if so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  steps  being  taken  by  the Government for  the  protection  and  welfare  of  Gig  and  Platform  workers  in  the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (g):  For the first time, the definition of 'gig worker' and 'platform worker' has been provided in the Code on Social Security, 2020.  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 declaration basis, which is spread across around 400 occupations.   As per e-Shram portal,  the  number  of  gig  workers  as  on  28.01.2022  is  717,686  in  categories  like beauty & wellness, automobile & transportation, tourism & hospitality, food industry, workers.  It  allows  a  person  to  register  himself  or  herself  on  the  portal  on  selfeducation, etc. NITI Aayog in its report titled 'India's Booming Gig and Platform Economy' has made suggestions  for  designing  initiatives  such  as  paid  sick  leave,  health  &  accident insurance,  old  age  support  and support  to  workers  in  a  situation  of  irregularity  of work. The Code on Social Security, 2020 has already provided 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. It is provided in the Code on Social Security, 2020 to set 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 code has yet to come in force.

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