Drop the piecemeal ways to social security for workers, Pg 10

Key Highlights

Gig Workers Social Security Push

• Govt planning a national scheme with health cover, eShram portal, and universal pension account.

• Acknowledges multiple-employer status of gig workers (e.g., delivery, app-based).

Flaws in Existing System

• India hasnt ratified ILO Convention 102.

• Labour Codes weakened protections; social welfare boards are inefficient.

Policy Criticisms

• Over-reliance on boards has failed (e.g., CAG: Tamil Nadu board delayed ?221.8 cr disbursals).

• Piecemeal approach creates exclusion, fails to cover all informal work types.

Way Forward

• Move toward universal, inclusive social protection.

• Redesign Code mandates as foundation for robust, scalable worker welfare systems.

Analysis & Way Forward

• Time to shift from reactive to proactive protection for informal workers.

• Stronger, integrated social systems needed to prepare Indias workforce for future disruptions.

Mains Mock Question:

"Evaluate Indias current approach to social protection for informal workers. How can universal social security be effectively implemented?"