Lok Sabha Question No. 5012 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Welfare of Gig and Platform Workers in Mumbai
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Sanjay Dina Patil, Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5012 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026

## WELFARE OF GIG AND PLATFORM WORKERS IN MUMBAI

5012. SHRI SANJAY DINA PATIL: PROF. VARSHA EKNATH GAIKWAD:

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

- (a)whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  gig  and  platform workers are facing income instability that are shrinking per-task payments,  long  working  hours  and  rising  operating  costs  in  the country, leading to increased financial and health stress;
- (b)whether the Government has conducted any assessment on the absence or adequacy of social security benefits, including health insurance,  accident  cover  and  pension  for  the  said  workers  in Mumbai and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)whether  the  Government  has  examined  complaints  relating  to opaque  algorithmic  management,  arbitrary  ID  deactivations  and weak grievance redressal mechanisms that are affecting the said workers in Mumbai and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)whether  the  Government  has  data  on  work-related  accidents, occupational health risks and indebtedness among  the gig workforce in Mumbai and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)the details of the time-bound measures proposed by the Government to ensure fair remuneration, social security coverage, algorithmic transparency and legal protection for the said workers in Mumbai?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (e): 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.

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.

The  Ministry  of  Labour  and  Employment  had  launched eShram  portal  on  26.08.2021  for  creation  of  a  comprehensive National Database of Unorganised Workers including platform workers, migrant workers etc. The eShram portal is meant to register and support the unorganised workers by providing them a Universal Account Number (UAN) on a self-declaration basis. The Ministry of Labour and Employment has also launched the eShram'One -StopSolution' that entails integration of different social security/welfare schemes at single portal i.e., eShram. This is envisaged to enable unorganised  workers  including  platform  workers registered on eShram to access social security schemes and see benefits availed by them so far, through eShram.

To maximise registration of platform workers on e-Shram 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, over 8.86 lakh platform workers are registered on eShram portal.

Multiple rounds of deliberations have been conducted with Workers Unions/Associations  and  State  Government/UTs  for  social  security

Aggregators, Knowledge Partners and Platform framework of gig and platform workers.

*****