The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment on Friday notified the constitution of the National Social Security Boards for Unorganised Workers and Gig and Platform Workers under the Code on Social Security, bringing digital platform professionals formally within India’s statutory welfare architecture for the first time.
The Union Minister for Labour and Employment will preside over the Boards, which will comprise representatives from Central and state governments, aggregator companies, employers, civil society organisations, workers’ unions, and gig and platform worker associations, according to the official Press Information Bureau statement issued by the Ministry.
The Ministry described the move as “a landmark step toward ensuring comprehensive social security for India’s massive informal workforce,” adding that the Boards “mark a historic shift by integrating digital gig and platform professionals into India’s formal welfare architecture.” The Boards “are mandated to design, monitor, and recommend targeted welfare schemes to bridge the social security gap for millions of gig & platform workers alongside traditional unorganised workers,” the PIB statement said.
As per the notification, the Boards shall meet at least thrice a year and follow the rules of procedure for transacting business at their meetings, as prescribed by the Central Government. The PIB statement lists six statutory functions for the Boards:
- Recommend to the Central Government framing suitable schemes for different sections of unorganised workers, gig workers, and platform workers.
- Advise the Central Government on matters arising out of the administration of the Code as may be referred to it.
- Monitor social welfare schemes for unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers that are administered by the Central Government.
- Review the record-keeping functions performed at the state level.
- Review the expenditure from the fund and account.
- Undertake other functions as are assigned to it by the Central Government from time to time.
The Code on Social Security, 2020, consolidates nine central labour laws covering provident fund, insurance, gratuity, maternity benefits and other welfare schemes, and came into force on 21 November 2025. The Government notified the Social Security (Central) Rules, 2026 on 8 May 2026, requiring aggregators to submit details of gig and platform workers through APIs on the eShram portal.
The Government has stated that it will bring 2.35 crore gig and platform workers under social security measures by 2029 to 30, up from an estimated 1 crore in 2024 to 25, The Tribune reported. As of August 2025, over 30.98 crore unorganised workers, including more than 3.37 lakh platform and gig workers, had registered on the eShram portal, according to the Labour Ministry.
For HR, legal, and compliance teams at aggregator platforms, the Boards’ first set of meetings will set the pace for scheme design, contribution rules, and the practical rollout of accident cover, health insurance, and old-age protection for India’s fastest-growing worker segment.
