Govt. is considering social security schemes for gig workers, as their number could reach 2.5 million by the end of the decade

The number of gig workers in India could reach 2.5 million by the end of the decade and the government is consulting fund managers to introduce social security schemes for them, a Labor Ministry official said on Friday (May 29, 2026).

Currently, the country has approximately 1 million gig workers, including those involved in app-based food delivery and ride-hailing platforms.

The government is collecting workforce data and all these platforms have to update their employee details on the Labor Ministry’s e-Shram portal by June 22, said Ashutosh AT Pednekar, joint secretary and director general, social welfare department.

“A huge part of our workforce is now absorbed by the gig and platform economy and the potential is huge. There are around 1 million workers in the sector today and the potential is to reach around 2.5 million workers by the end of the decade. The government is focusing more on this sector,” he said in a speech at the ‘Stakeholders and Consultation on Work Platforms’ Challenge.

Joint Secretary and Director General, Labor Welfare, Ministry of Labor and Employment, Ashutosh AT Pednekar attends a stakeholder consultation on opportunities and challenges of gig and platform workers in India on May 29, 2026 in New Delhi. Photo credit: ANI

The event was organized by FICCI-AIOE (All India Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Employers’ Organizations) in association with the International Labor Organization (ILO).

Highlighting the government’s steps, Mr. Pednekar said that the Social Security Act under the new Labor Code had already been announced on May 8.

“We are in the process of operationalizing a rule-based code through various mechanisms like the National Social Security Board for Gig and Platform Workers being operationalized. The board will deal with unorganized workers,” he added.

He further said that the government is in the process of operationalizing various accident and maternity related social security schemes for platform workers. “We are in the process of setting up various schemes and are working with a number of fund managers to ensure that the schemes are operationalized,” he added.

About the e-Shram portal, Mr Pednekar said the portal already has a database of aggregators and “we can understand in real time the benefits that a worker can or has availed”.

“Just as UPI and Aadhaar have changed the digital landscape in India, e-Shram has the potential to change the way data is provided to workers along with the portability of benefits, which is a global challenge, including India,” he said.

Michiko Miyamoto, ILO DWT Director for South Asia and Country Office for India, said India’s platform economy has rapidly moved from the fringes to mainstream economic activity.

“Working on the platform has created new opportunities for income generation, flexibility, entrepreneurship and labor market participation. The platform economy can significantly contribute to India’s growth and the broader vision of Viksit Bharat,” she added.

It further said that India has led in South Asia by extending social security to platform workers.

“India has recognized that workers in new forms of work must be visible within protection systems. The challenge now is implementation. Social protection must be practical, portable and accessible. Registration systems must be simple and contributions must be fair,” Ms Miyamoto said.

Jasbir Singh, AIOE President and Executive Chairman, CEO and Whole Time Director, Amber Enterprises India Ltd., said that as India moves towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, it is important that governments, employers, digital platforms, employee representatives and international organizations work together to develop practical and balanced approaches that support business growth and employee well-being.

Published – 29 May 2026 16:43 IST