Centre Unveils Draft Rules for Gig Worker Social Security
The Union government of India has taken a significant step towards formalizing social security for the nation's rapidly expanding gig and platform workforce. On December 30, 2025, the Ministry of Labour and Employment pre-published draft rules under the Code on Social Security, 2020, outlining eligibility criteria and benefits for these workers. The move aims to operationalize welfare provisions for a sector characterized by flexible, task-based engagements rather than traditional employer-employee relationships.
The draft rules have been placed in the public domain to solicit feedback from various stakeholders, including workers, platform companies, and state governments, before their finalization.
Eligibility and Benefits Outlined
A key provision of the proposed framework establishes a minimum engagement threshold for gig and platform workers to qualify for social security benefits. Workers must complete at least 90 days of work with a single aggregator in a financial year. For those engaged with multiple aggregators, the eligibility threshold is set at 120 days.
The rules clarify that a worker is considered 'engaged' on any calendar day they earn income from an aggregator, irrespective of the amount earned. For workers operating across multiple platforms, engagement days will be counted cumulatively, meaning work done for different aggregators on the same day will be counted separately for each.
The social security benefits proposed under these rules include:
- Life and disability cover
- Health insurance
- Maternity benefits
- Old-age protection (pension)
- Accident coverage
Registration Process and Stakeholder Reactions
To access these benefits, all gig and platform workers aged 16 years and above will be required to complete Aadhaar-linked registration on a designated central government portal. Aggregators will be responsible for sharing verified data on worker engagement and facilitating the generation of a Universal Account Number (UAN) and identity cards for eligible workers.
The introduction of these draft rules follows the enactment of the Code on Social Security, 2020, which for the first time formally recognized gig and platform workers within India's labor law architecture. The absence of notified rules had previously delayed the rollout of benefits. This initiative also comes amidst renewed protests from gig workers demanding better pay, working conditions, and formal welfare coverage.
While gig worker unions have generally welcomed the initiative for legally recognizing gig and platform workers and extending social security provisions, some have sought further clarity on eligibility criteria and the processes to access these benefits. Concerns have been raised that the minimum work-day criteria might exclude a section of workers, particularly those engaged in part-time, intermittent, or seasonal platform work.
The government aims to fully implement the four labor codes, including the Code on Social Security, from April 1, 2026, across the country.
5 Comments
Noir Black
The 90-day rule excludes so many part-time and casual workers. Unfair!
BuggaBoom
This initiative is a crucial recognition of gig workers' rights; however, ensuring easy access to registration and benefits for everyone, especially those in remote areas, will be a major challenge.
KittyKat
Glad to see the government addressing gig worker social security seriously.
Bermudez
The intention to provide social security is commendable and necessary for this growing sector. Still, the impact of the eligibility criteria on smaller, less frequent gig economy participants needs careful re-evaluation to ensure inclusivity.
Mariposa
This is too little, too late. Many struggling workers needed this years ago.