Government To Bring Gig Workers Under Social Security Net Via e-Shram Portal

The government will soon allow gig and platform workers to register on the e-Shram portal, ensuring they are covered under social security schemes, Union Labour & Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced on Sunday (1 September).

Mandaviya highlighted that aggregators — companies that employ gig and platform workers — will be asked to take the lead in registering their workers on the portal.

"An online window will be provided to aggregators to ensure a smooth and efficient registration process," he stated.

The minister also emphasised that the centre is working on a comprehensive strategy to extend social security benefits to gig and platform workers, similar to those available to registered informal workers.

The e-Shram portal is a comprehensive National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW) launched by the Ministry of Labour & Employment. Its primary purpose is to facilitate the delivery of welfare benefits and social security measures to unorganised sector workers across the country.

The platform aims to register and provide identity cards to unorganised workers, enabling them to access various government schemes, benefits, and services more efficiently. Workers registered on the e-Shram portal are already eligible for public life and accidental insurance, among other benefits.

The labour codes passed by Parliament in 2020 included provisions for a social security scheme specifically designed for gig workers. Gig workers encompass freelancers, online platform workers, self-employed individuals, on-call workers, and creative tech talent, including rideshare drivers, and food delivery couriers.

According to the Economic Survey 2023-24, the gig workforce in India, Asia's third-largest economy, is expected to grow to 23.5 million by 2029-30, nearly tripling from an estimated 7.7 million workers in 2020-21.

While the gig economy presents new employment opportunities for various sections of workers, including youth, persons with disabilities, and women, the survey highlights the need for effective social security initiatives for gig and platform workers in both India and globally.

The Supreme Court also noted on 24 May 2021, that governments must expedite the registration of unorganised, gig, and platform workers to ensure they are included in social security programmes.