Govt Proposes 90-Day Rule for Gig Worker Benefits
The central government has proposed a new framework under the Social Security Code, 2020, requiring gig and platform workers to work for a minimum number of days each year to qualify for social security benefits. Under the draft rules, gig workers will need to be engaged for at least 90 days in a financial year with a single platform to become eligible for welfare coverage. For workers operating across multiple platforms, the minimum requirement has been proposed at 120 days of cumulative work.
How work days will be calculated
According to the draft, a day will be counted as a working day if a gig worker earns any income from a platform on that day, regardless of the number of hours worked or the amount earned. If a worker is active on more than one platform on the same day, each engagement will be counted separately. The proposal aims to bring clarity to how work duration is measured in the gig economy.
Proposed benefits for eligible workers
Once the minimum work threshold is met, gig and platform workers will be eligible for social security benefits, including health insurance, life and accident cover, and access to welfare schemes notified by the government. The draft also outlines the creation of a national database of gig workers through Aadhaar-linked registration to facilitate benefit delivery.
Consultation process underway
The draft rules have been released for public consultation, and feedback has been invited from workers, platforms and other stakeholders. The proposal comes amid growing demands for formal protections for gig workers, as the sector continues to expand across delivery, transport and digital services.
