Gig Workers Get Safety Net: Centre Notifies National Social Security Board
India notifies the National Social Security Board to provide welfare and social security for gig, platform, and unorganised workers.
In a move that marks a paradigm shift for India's digital economy, the Central Government has formally notified the constitution of the National Social Security Board for Unorganised Workers and Gig and Platform Workers. This landmark decision brings millions of workers operating within the platform economy under the statutory umbrella of the Code on Social Security, ensuring that those who power the app-based services of the country are no longer left in the shadows of social welfare.
A Landmark Step for the Informal Workforce
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has hailed this notification as a "landmark step," aimed at providing comprehensive social security to India's vast informal workforce. By integrating gig and platform workers into the legal framework, the government aims to address the unique vulnerabilities of workers who operate outside traditional employer-employee relationships.
Who Will Lead the Board?
To ensure high-level administrative oversight and inclusive decision-making, the Board will be chaired by the Union Minister for Labour and Employment. The composition of the Board is designed to be representative of the entire ecosystem, including:
- Representatives from both Central and State Governments.
- Aggregator companies (the platforms that employ gig workers).
- Employers and civil society organisations.
- Workers' unions and specific associations representing gig and platform workers.
By including both the aggregator companies and the worker associations, the government has ensured that both the service providers and the service seekers have a voice in recommending and reviewing welfare measures.
Core Responsibilities and Functions
The National Social Security Board is not merely an advisory body but a monitoring entity with several critical mandates. Its primary responsibilities include:
Recommending Welfare Schemes
The Board will be tasked with identifying and recommending suitable social security schemes tailored to the needs of different categories of unorganised workers, specifically focusing on the evolving needs of gig and platform workers.
Monitoring and Oversight
Beyond recommendations, the Board will monitor the actual implementation of social welfare schemes administered by the Central Government. This includes reviewing record-keeping functions managed at the State level and examining the expenditure from the relevant funds and accounts to ensure transparency and efficiency.
Advisory Role
The Board will serve as a key advisor to the government on all matters pertaining to the administration of the Code on Social Security. Additionally, the Central Government retains the authority to assign further functions to the Board as requirements evolve.
Operational Guidelines
To maintain consistency and momentum, the Board is mandated to meet at least three times a year. All proceedings and meetings will be conducted according to the rules of procedure prescribed by the Central Government.
As the gig economy continues to expand across India, the role of this Board will be pivotal in shaping the policies that determine the financial stability and social wellbeing of the country's most flexible, yet often most precarious, workforce.