Centre drafts NEW RULE under four labour codes: Gig workers eligible for benefits after working 90 days a year…
Gig workers are now eligible for social security benefits if they work for 90 days with a single aggregator, or 120 days with several platforms.
Centre drafts NEW RULE: In a major development, the central government has issued draft rules for implementing four labour codes, further extending crucial protections to gig and platform workers. These protections include health benefits, occupational safety measures, minimum wages, and social security coverage. The four codes notified by the ministry are – the Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, Code on Social Security, 2020, and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020. The central government has taken the move following the nationwide strike by gig workers over pay, working conditions, and social security.
Key Highlights Of The Draft Rules
The gig workers are eligible for the benefits if they work for 90 days with a single aggregator or 120 days with more than one aggregator during financial year 2025. The thresholds are meant to establish clear rules and give gig workers more reliable access to social security benefits.
It is to be noted that it is for the first time the four labour codes define gig work, platform work, and aggregators, create a Social Security Fund, and offer welfare benefits to workers. This also include life and disability cover, health, and maternity support.
What Will Happen To Those Engaged With Several Aggregators?
For these workers, days worked will be added cumulatively. Additionally, work done for multiple aggregators on the same day will be counted as working days.
Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted Central government’s aim of extending social security coverage to 100 crore workers by March 2026.
The ministry data shows that the coverage has increased to over 64 percent (2025). Earlier in 2015 it was 19 percent.
The labour ministry has requested stakeholders to give their feedback within 30 days for on the draft rules and 45 days for the other three labour codes.
Gig Workers’ Massive Protest
It is worth noting that the central government’s move came after the Gig and Platform Service Workers Union nationwide protest on December 31. They demanded basic rights, welfare, including other demands.
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