Lok Sabha Question No. 1284 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-28
Subject: Social Security Benefits for Workers in Unorganised Sector
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Mani A

## 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/-

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.

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## 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 | Total 69,490    | Total 69,490   |

Data Source: CSC as on 10.07.2025.