NEW DELHI: Gig and platform workers will need to work for at least 90 days with an aggregator in a financial year to qualify for social security benefits under the proposed rules of the new Social Security Code, released for public feedback. For those associated with multiple aggregators, the eligibility threshold has been set at 120 days.
Under the draft rules, a worker will be considered engaged from the day they begin earning an income, irrespective of the amount. If a worker is linked to more than one platform, their days of work will be counted cumulatively. For instance, engagement with three aggregators on a single day will be counted as three days.
The rules clarify that eligible gig and platform workers include those engaged directly by an aggregator or through associate companies, subsidiaries, limited liability partnerships, or third parties.
The new labour codes provide for social security cover such as health, life and personal accident insurance for gig workers, along with other benefits the government may notify. The labour ministry has already begun registering gig workers on the e-Shram portal, and they will be covered under Ayushman Bharat. Pension benefits may also be introduced later, based on contributions from both platforms and workers.
As per the draft, all gig workers above 16 years must complete Aadhaar-linked registration. Aggregators will be required to share worker details on a central portal for issuance of a universal account number, unless the worker is already registered. Eligible workers will also receive an identity card, in digital or physical form.
The notification also outlines the proposed National Social Security Board, which will assess the number of gig and platform workers, identify new categories of aggregators and design welfare schemes. The board will include five government-nominated representatives each from unorganised workers’ associations and employers.
Gig workers will cease to be eligible for benefits once they turn 60, or if they fail to meet the minimum work requirement of 90 days with a single aggregator or 120 days across multiple aggregators in the preceding financial year.
