Indian Labour Ministry Establishes Social Security Board for Gig Workers

The Indian Ministry of Labour and Employment has formed the National Social Security Board for Unorganised Workers and Gig and Platform Workers under the Code on Social Security, 2020. This initiative aims to extend social security benefits, including pension, health insurance, and accident coverage, to a workforce that has historically operated outside formal labor protections.

Chaired by the Union Minister for Labour and Employment, the board includes representatives from government, industry aggregators, and labor associations. Its mandate involves advising the central government on social welfare schemes, monitoring the administration of benefits, and reviewing expenditure related to the social security fund. The board is required to meet at least three times per year.

The regulatory framework imposes new financial requirements on platform aggregators, which must now contribute a portion of their annual turnover to support these social security measures. This shift affects major companies in sectors such as ride-hailing, food delivery, and quick commerce, who must now adapt to increased administrative and financial obligations.

This development aligns with broader efforts to formalize the status of gig workers in India. Similar actions are occurring at the state level, with authorities in Karnataka having already established an independent welfare board to oversee similar protections for workers in their jurisdiction.