Gig Workers Welcome Social Security Move, Flag Workday Hurdles

Gig and platform workers in Visakhapatnam have welcomed the Centre’s move to extend social security coverage, but many say the proposed eligibility rules could be hard to meet. Delivery riders and app-based drivers described the draft norms as a positive step, while flagging concerns over irregular work and fluctuating incomes.

The Centre has released draft rules under the Social Security Code that link benefits to a minimum number of working days. Under the proposal, workers associated with a single aggregator must complete at least 90 days in a financial year to qualify. Those working across multiple platforms will need to log 120 days.

As per the draft, engagement will be counted from the first day a worker earns income through an aggregator, regardless of the amount earned. For workers active on more than one platform, workdays will be added together. If a worker works on multiple apps on the same day, each engagement will be counted separately.

In Visakhapatnam, many gig workers said moving between platforms is common due to uneven order volumes. While some welcomed cumulative counting of workdays, they said clear tracking systems are needed to avoid confusion. Others felt platforms should take more responsibility for worker registration and compliance.

The draft rules apply to workers engaged directly by aggregators as well as those working through associate firms, subsidiaries, LLPs, or third-party entities. The framework flows from labour codes that mandate social security coverage, including health, life, and personal accident insurance.

The labour ministry has begun registering gig workers on the e-Shram portal. Registered workers will be covered under the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme and may become eligible for pension benefits later, subject to contributions from platforms and workers.

All gig workers above the age of 16 will require Aadhaar-linked registration. Aggregators will have to share worker details on a central portal to generate a universal account number and issue identity cards. Eligibility will end at 60 or if workers fail to meet the minimum work requirement in the previous financial year.