Govt proposes minimum 90 days’ work for gig workers to access social security

New Delhi, Jan 2: Gig and platform workers will need to be engaged for at least 90 days in a financial year with an aggregator to qualify for social security benefits under the Social Security Code, according to draft rules released by the government for public feedback, the Times of India reported.

For workers associated with multiple aggregators, the proposed threshold is 120 days.

The draft rules define engagement from the day a worker begins earning income, irrespective of the amount. For those working across platforms, days of work will be counted cumulatively, with engagement on multiple aggregators in a single day counted separately for each.

Eligible gig and platform workers include those engaged directly by aggregators or through associate companies, subsidiaries, LLPs or third parties. The labour codes mandate social security cover such as health, life and personal accident insurance, with provisions for additional schemes that the government may notify.

The labour ministry has begun registering gig workers on the e-Shram portal, with coverage proposed under Ayushman Bharat, and possible pension benefits later based on contributions from both platforms and workers.