Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has welcomed the Central government's recent move to release draft Social Security Rules aimed at gig and platform workers. He described this as a crucial initial step towards granting "recognition, protection and dignity" to this vast workforce.
Draft Rules: A Result of Collective Voice
The Ministry of Labour and Employment released the draft Code on Social Security (Central) Rules, 2025 earlier this week. These rules outline eligibility criteria and safeguards to help gig and platform workers access social security benefits. In a post on social media platform X, Chadha extended congratulations to all gig workers and delivery partners, noting that the government listened even as major platforms like Zomato, Swiggy, and Blinkit did not.
Chadha, who has consistently raised gig worker issues in Parliament, emphasized that the draft rules were a product of collective effort. "These rules were not framed only because I raised the issue in Parliament. It happened because gig workers also raised their voices. The companies did not listen, but the government did, and that should be welcomed," he stated in a video message.
Key Provisions and Legal Recognition
According to the AAP leader, the new framework provides legal recognition to gig workers and proposes the issuance of a unique identity for them. This move is part of the broader Code on Social Security, 2020, which officially came into force on November 21, 2025. For the first time, this Code legally defines 'gig workers' and 'platform workers' and establishes welfare provisions.
The proposed social security measures include:
- Life and disability cover
- Accident insurance
- Health and maternity benefits
- Old-age protection
The Code also mandates the creation of a Social Security Fund and a National Social Security Board dedicated to the welfare of these workers.
Broader Context and e-Shram Integration
Chadha's welcome comes after he highlighted the "pain and misery" faced by gig workers during a recent Parliament session, citing long working hours and exposure to harsh weather. He has demanded regulation for quick commerce and app-based platforms, stressing fair pay and social protection.
Simultaneously, the Labour Ministry has been working to extend coverage to unorganised workers through the e-Shram portal, launched on August 26, 2021. This portal aims to build a national database for unorganised workers, including gig and migrant labour. Further integration occurred on October 21, 2024, with the launch of the e-Shram 'One-Stop Solution', which consolidates multiple social security schemes on a single platform for easier access nationwide.
