Union Labour Ministry Sets Up Social Security Boards For Unorganised, Gig, Platform Workers, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• The Union Labour Ministry has constituted two new social security boards.
• These are the National Social Security Board for Unorganised Workers (40 members) and the National Social Security Board for Gig & Platform Workers (22 members).
• Union Minister for Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya chairs both boards, with the Union Labour Secretary as vice-chairman.
• Their primary mandate is to design, monitor, and recommend targeted welfare schemes for unorganised, gig, and platform workers.
• The boards are established under the statutory framework of the Code on Social Security.

Social Security Board.jpg

Detailed Insights:

• The initiative aims to integrate digital gig and platform professionals into India’s formal welfare architecture.
• Board membership includes representatives from Central and State governments, prominent aggregator companies (e.g., Zomato, Swiggy), employers, civil society, and worker unions.
• Key functions involve advising the Union government on the administration of the Code on Social Security and monitoring social welfare schemes.
• The boards are mandated to convene at least three times annually and have a tenure of three years.
• This move addresses the long-standing demand for social security benefits for workers outside traditional employment structures.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Unorganised Workers: Individuals working in enterprises not covered by formal employment benefits like provident fund or gratuity.
• Gig Workers: Workers engaged in flexible, short-term, or task-based work arrangements outside traditional employer-employee relationships.
• Platform Workers: A sub-category of gig workers who access work and clients through online platforms or mobile applications.
• Code on Social Security, 2020: A comprehensive legislation that consolidates nine existing social security laws to provide universal social security coverage.