Government Sets Up National Social Security Board for Gig and Platform Workers

The Union government has notified the formation of the National Social Security Board for Unorganised Workers and Gig and Platform Workers, a body tasked with developing and overseeing welfare measures for workers who often lack access to traditional social security benefits.

The Board will focus on recommending, designing, and monitoring schemes aimed at improving social protection for millions of people working in the informal economy, including those who earn through digital platforms.

A Formal Framework for Gig Workers

The Ministry of Labour and Employment announced the Board’s constitution under the Code on Social Security, 2020. The move brings gig and platform workers more firmly into the country’s formal social welfare framework.

Gig workers are people who earn through work arrangements outside the conventional employer-employee relationship. Platform workers, meanwhile, are those who find or carry out work through online platforms, including digital services that connect customers with workers.

The government sees the Board as an important step towards addressing gaps in social security coverage for these groups, alongside other workers in the unorganised sector.

Who Will Be Part of the Board?

The Union Minister for Labour and Employment will chair the Board. Its membership will include representatives from the central and state governments, aggregator companies, employers, civil society organisations, workers’ unions, and associations representing gig and platform workers.

The inclusion of these stakeholders is intended to bring different perspectives into discussions on welfare policies and the needs of workers operating across a range of informal and platform-based jobs.

Key Responsibilities and Functions

The Board will recommend suitable social security schemes for different categories of unorganised workers, gig workers, and platform workers. It will also advise the central government on matters related to the administration of the Code on Social Security.

In addition, the Board will monitor welfare schemes run by the central government for these groups and assess how effectively they are being implemented.

Its responsibilities will also include reviewing record-keeping activities at the state level and examining expenditure from relevant funds and accounts. The central government may assign further duties to the Board as required.

To carry out its work, the Board must meet at least three times a year and follow the procedures prescribed by the central government for conducting its meetings.

What It Means for Gig and Platform Workers

The notification establishes an institutional mechanism through which the government can develop and oversee welfare initiatives for gig and platform workers. These workers are an increasingly important part of India's labour market, particularly in areas such as food delivery, ride-hailing, logistics, and other app-based services.

However, the practical impact of the Board will depend on the schemes recommended, the benefits eventually introduced, and how effectively those measures are implemented.

By bringing government representatives, industry participants, worker organisations, and other stakeholders together, the Board is expected to play a role in shaping social security measures for workers who operate outside conventional employment arrangements.