Centre Proposes 90-Day Work Rule for Gig Workers to Access Social Security Benefits

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The Indian government has proposed a new rule that would require gig and platform workers to be engaged for at least 90 days with an aggregator or 120 days with multiple aggregators within a financial year to be eligible for social security benefits. This move comes as gig workers across the country are demanding better working conditions and higher payouts. According to the draft rules, a worker will be considered engaged if they earn any income from work carried out for an aggregator on a particular calendar day, regardless of the amount earned. This means that even if a worker earns a small amount, they will be counted as engaged for that day. The rules also clarify that gig workers can be engaged by an aggregator directly or through an associate company, holding company, subsidiary company, or limited liability partnership. The Centre has already begun the registration process for unorganised workers on the e-Shram portal, which will serve as a national database for these workers. Registered workers will receive a digital identity card and will be required to regularly update their details, such as address, occupation, and mobile number. Failure to update these details may result in workers becoming ineligible for social security schemes. The proposed rule has been met with a mixed reaction from gig workers, with some welcoming the move towards greater security and others expressing concerns about the potential impact on their livelihoods. As the government continues to work on the draft rules, gig workers across the country will be watching closely to see how this new policy will affect their lives.