India establishes board to expand social security for gig and platform workers

In a significant policy development, India's Ministry of Labour & Employment has formally constituted the National Social Security Board for Unorganised Workers and Gig & Platform Workers under the statutory framework of the Code on Social Security. The move represents a landmark effort to extend comprehensive social protection coverage to millions of workers engaged in non-traditional forms of employment across the country.

The board's primary mandate encompasses designing, monitoring, and recommending targeted welfare schemes tailored to address the unique challenges faced by gig and platform workers. These include delivery personnel, cab drivers, freelancers, and other professionals who operate outside conventional employer-employee arrangements. By bringing these workers within the ambit of formal social security architecture, the government aims to bridge critical gaps in healthcare, pension, and unemployment protection.

Gig workers are defined as individuals who perform work or participate in work arrangements earning income independently, distinct from traditional employment models. Platform workers, meanwhile, are those who engage in income-generating activities through or with online digital platforms. Together, these segments represent a substantial and growing portion of India's workforce, particularly in urban centers.

The establishment of this statutory board underscores the government's recognition of evolving employment patterns in the digital economy. As India's informal sector continues to expand, particularly through digital platforms and gig-based work arrangements, the need for targeted social protection mechanisms has become increasingly urgent. The board's work is expected to inform policy frameworks that address the income volatility, absence of employer-provided benefits, and other vulnerabilities characteristic of platform and gig work.