Lok Sabha Question No. 1537 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Welfare of Gig Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Kuldeep Indora

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1537

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026

## WELFARE OF GIG WORKERS

†1537. SHRI KULDEEP INDORA:

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

- (a)whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  measures  to  provide facilities such as health insurance, social security and minimum wages to  millions  of  gig  workers  such  as  delivery  agents,  cab drivers, freelancers etc., in view of their uncertain and insecure employment conditions;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is considering taking concrete steps to address  the  discrimination  being  carried  out  by  companies workers being classified as "independent contractors" rather than formal employees;
- (d) if so, whether the Government proposes to introduce a dedicated National Policy or Legislation for gig workers to ensure a clear mechanism  for  social  security,  minimum  rights  and  grievance
- redressal; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

(a) to (e): The Code on Social Security, 2020 has come into force on 21.11.2025 with the objective to consolidate and simplify the existing social  security  laws  into  a  single  framework  and  to  extend  social security coverage to all workers, including organized, unorganized, gig,  platform,  and  self-employed  workers,  by  ensuring  universal access to social security benefits, promoting portability of benefits across  employments  and  States,  enabling  the  Central  and  State Governments to frame appropriate schemes, leveraging technology for efficient delivery, and clearly defining the roles of governments, employers, and aggregators in order to provide comprehensive social protection  to  the  workforce  in  line  with  evolving  labour  market conditions.

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.

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.

The  Code  has  provisions  for  setting  up  a  toll-free  call centre, or helpline or facilitation centres for unorganised, gig, and platform workers by the appropriate Government. These facilities are to  disseminate  information  on  available  social  security  schemes, facilitate filing, processing and forwarding of application forms for registration, assist to obtain registration and facilitate the enrolment of  the  registered  unorganized  workers,  gig  workers  and  platform workers in the social security schemes.

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