New Delhi, Dec 9 – The government announced that gig and platform workers in India will soon gain formal legal status, be able to move their social‑security benefits between jobs, and join a nationwide registration system via e‑Shram, all under the provisions of the 2020 Social Security Code that is part of the new labour laws.
According to the new code, platforms that match workers with jobs must now put aside 1–2 percent of their yearly revenue—up to a maximum of 5 percent of the total payments made to gig and platform workers—into a Social Security Fund.
That fund will support a range of welfare programmes for these workers, who previously had to shoulder all risks themselves and did not receive any contribution from the platforms that hired them.
The strengthened rules give gig and platform workers crucial protections, let them keep their rights when they change employers or platforms, and shift informal work into a recognised, safer, and more sustainable livelihood, the government said.
With the reforms, gig and platform workers will become eligible for several government‑approved social‑security benefits, such as accident insurance, health care, maternity pay, and other perks.
Workers will sign up on the e‑Shram website, where they’ll receive a unique ID linked to their Aadhaar card. This will allow them to keep their benefits intact even if they move to a new job or platform.
The portal will also compile a national database that can help administer social‑security services, foster skill development, target welfare delivery, and inform policy decisions, the statement highlighted.
By defining key terms like “aggregator,” “gig worker,” “platform worker,” and “platform work,” the new labour codes give these workers formal recognition and legal protection under social‑security laws.
Previously, workers had no avenue into formal labour legislation, making it difficult to seek help or lodge complaints. Under the updated codes, the government plans to establish toll‑free helplines, call centres, or support hubs to address worker concerns and provide swift assistance.
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