Politics · India Bureau
Centre establishes board to guide welfare policy for gig and informal workers
The government has constituted a three-year advisory board to shape social security schemes for gig, platform and unorganised sector workers. The board will include representatives from aggregators, trade unions and state governments.
LSN India ·
The Centre has set up a dedicated social security board tasked with formulating welfare policy recommendations for India's growing gig and unorganised workforce. The board, with a three-year tenure, will serve as a consultative body to guide government initiatives addressing the needs of workers engaged in platform-based and informal economic activities.
The composition of the board reflects a multi-stakeholder approach, bringing together representatives from digital aggregators, organised trade unions and state government authorities. This inclusive structure aims to capture diverse perspectives on the challenges and opportunities within the gig economy and informal labour sectors.
The establishment of the board underscores the government's recognition of the expanding gig and unorganised economy in India. With millions of workers engaged in ride-hailing, food delivery, freelancing and other platform-based occupations, alongside the traditional informal sector, policymakers have identified the need for targeted social security frameworks.
The board's recommendations are expected to inform the design and implementation of welfare schemes, potentially covering areas such as health insurance, accident coverage, pension provisions and other social protection measures. State governments' involvement signals coordination between central and regional authorities on labour policy matters affecting their respective jurisdictions.