Question : Social Security to Gig Workers

(a)the estimate of number of gig workforce engaged in the country during the last three years, in the category of low-skilled, medium-skilled and high-skilled jobs, category and year-wise ;
(b)whether complaints are being received that gig workers are not getting any social security under the new Social Security Code and the rules made thereunder, if so, the details thereof and response of the Government thereto;
(c)whether the Centre’s policy thinktank NITI Aayog has recommended steps to provide social security including paid leave, occupational disease and accident insurance, support during irregularity of work and pension plans for the country’s gig workforce, which is expected to grow to 2.35 crore by 2029-30, if so the details thereof;
(d)whether the number of gig workers is estimated to be 77 lakh in 2020-21 and the country requires a framework that balances the flexibility offered by platforms while also ensuring social security of workers, if so, the details and the present status thereof;
(e)whether the Government is aware of rapid increase of Gig and Platform workers in the country, if so, the details thereof;
(f)whether the Government has made any attempts to specify a ‘minimum mandatory entitlement’ for gig and platform workers, if so, the details thereof; and
(g)whether the Government has made an attempt to develop a framework to guarantee universal social security for gig and platform workers with firm entitlements, if so, the details thereof along with the steps being taken by the Government for the protection and welfare of Gig and Platform workers in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

(a) to (g): For the first time, the definition of ‘gig worker’ and ‘platform worker’ has been provided in the Code on Social Security, 2020. The Government has launched e-Shram portal on 26.08.2021 for registration and creation of a Comprehensive
Contd..2/-
:: 2 ::
National Database of Unorganized Workers including gig workers and platform workers. It allows a person to register himself or herself on the portal on self-declaration basis, which is spread across around 400 occupations. As per e-Shram portal, the number of gig workers as on 28.01.2022 is 717,686 in categories like beauty & wellness, automobile & transportation, tourism & hospitality, food industry, education, etc.
NITI Aayog in its report titled “India’s Booming Gig and Platform Economy” has made suggestions for designing initiatives such as paid sick leave, health & accident insurance, old age support and support to workers in a situation of irregularity of work.
The Code on Social Security, 2020 has already provided for framing of suitable social security schemes for gig workers and platform workers on matters relating to life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, old age protection, etc. It is provided in the Code on Social Security, 2020 to set up a Social Security Fund and one of the sources of fund, is contribution from aggregator between 1 to 2% of annual turnover of an aggregator subject to the limit of 5% of the amount paid or payable by an aggregator to such workers. The code has yet to come in force.

*******