Gig workers may have to complete 90 workdays annually to qualify for social security benefits

The Union Labour Ministry has shared new draft rules related to social security benefits for gig and platform workers. These rules are open for public comments and suggestions. According to the draft, gig workers may need to work for at least 90 days in a year to become eligible for social security benefits provided by the central government.

The draft rules were issued on December 30, 2025. This was just one day before many gig and platform workers across the country went on strike on New Year’s Eve. The workers were demanding better pay, fair treatment, and improved working conditions. The timing of the announcement has therefore drawn attention from both workers and companies.

Who are gig and platform workers

Gig workers are people who do not have a permanent, full-time job with one employer. Instead, they work on short-term tasks, freelance jobs, or project-based assignments. They usually get paid per task, delivery, or ride rather than receiving a fixed monthly salary.

In India, many gig workers are associated with online platforms and mobile apps. This includes delivery workers and riders working with companies such as Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, and Zepto. Cab drivers using ride-hailing apps and other app-based service providers are also part of the gig economy.

These workers are often called platform workers because they use digital platforms to find work. While the gig economy has created many job opportunities, it has also raised concerns about job security, income stability, and lack of social security benefits.

Most gig workers do not receive benefits like health insurance, pension, or paid leave. This is why the government has been working on rules to extend social security coverage to this large and growing workforce.

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Rules for social security eligibility

According to the draft rules released by the Labour Ministry, gig and platform workers will be eligible for social security benefits if they meet certain work requirements in a financial year. A worker must be engaged with an aggregator for at least 90 days in a year to qualify. If a worker is associated with more than one aggregator, then the total engagement must be at least 120 days in that financial year.

An aggregator refers to a company or platform that connects workers with customers through an app or digital service. These companies do not usually hire workers as full-time employees but engage them on a task-by-task basis.

The rules clearly explain how engagement days will be counted. If a gig or platform worker earns any income on a particular calendar day, that day will be counted as one day of engagement. The amount of money earned on that day does not matter. Even a small earning is enough for the day to be considered valid.

If a worker works for more than one aggregator, all the engagement days will be added together. For example, if a worker completes tasks for two different platforms on different days, the days worked for both platforms will be counted together to calculate total engagement.

The draft rules also mention that if a worker performs tasks for multiple aggregators on the same calendar day, each engagement will be counted separately. This means that if a worker works for three different platforms on one day, it will be counted as three engagement days.

The document further clarifies who will be considered an eligible gig or platform worker. It includes individuals who are engaged by an aggregator either directly or indirectly. This also covers workers connected through associate companies, holding companies, subsidiaries, limited liability partnerships, or even third-party service providers.

The purpose of these rules is to create a clear system to identify workers who regularly participate in the gig economy and should receive social security benefits. These benefits may include insurance, pension schemes, or other welfare measures decided by the government.

However, some worker groups have raised concerns. They argue that the minimum requirement of 90 or 120 days may exclude many workers who do not get regular work throughout the year. Others feel that counting multiple engagements on the same day as separate days may create confusion.

The draft rules are currently open for public feedback. The government will review suggestions from workers, companies, and other stakeholders before finalising the rules. Once implemented, these rules could bring significant changes to the working conditions and social security coverage of millions of gig workers across India.

The gig economy continues to grow rapidly, and these proposed rules are seen as an important step towards providing basic protection and support to workers who form an essential part of modern urban services.