Bridging The Gap (Expanding Social Security For Gig Workers In India)

Social security serves as a crucial safeguard for individuals, ensuring access to healthcare and income security, particularly during circumstances such as old age, unemployment, illness, disability, maternity, or the loss of a primary breadwinner. However, gig workers—often referred to as "independent contractors," "freelancers," and "on-demand workers"—across the globe frequently find themselves unable to access social security benefits. These gig workers are connected with clients, customers, or service opportunities through platform aggregators who provide them with a certain fee on a case-to-case basis.

As businesses increasingly rely on gig workers to meet their operational needs, there is a growing recognition of the need to protect the rights of these workers. In response, the government has been taking steps to formulate laws and frameworks aimed at safeguarding gig workers' rights and ensuring their social security. The Code on Social Security 2020 ("Code