The central government has presented a big proposal regarding social security for millions of gig workers or platform workers in the country. Under the new rules, Aadhaar registration, digital ID cards and a social security fund will be ensured for gig workers and platform workers. This step is considered very important for delivery partners, cab drivers, freelancers and app-based workers working in the unorganized sector.
Registration after 16 years of age
As per the rules, every gig or platform worker who has completed 16 years of age will have to register on the portal set up by the central government using his/her Aadhaar and other documents. As soon as these rules come into force, every aggregator (like food delivery, cab and e-commerce platforms) will have to share the details of all the gig workers associated with them on the central government portal, so that a Universal Account Number (UAN) or a unique identification number can be issued to each worker. Every registered gig worker will be given a digital or physical identity card, which will contain his photograph and important information. This digital card can also be downloaded from the government portal.
It is necessary to work for 90 to 120 days
To avail the benefits of any social security scheme, one must work for at least 90 days with an aggregator, or 120 days if working with more than one aggregator. This period will be decided on the basis of the previous financial year.
If a gig worker earns any amount on a day, that day will be considered a working day.
If a worker works with three different aggregators on the same day, it will be considered as three working days.
Social security fund will be created
The Central Government will appoint an officer or agency to collect the contributions from the aggregator and deposit them in the Social Security Fund. They will also decide a responsible authority to manage this fund. This fund will be kept in a separate account created for gig workers as part of the Social Security Fund. The Central Government will nominate five members representing different categories of gig workers in the National Social Security Board on rotation basis. Any registered gig worker or platform worker shall be ineligible for the benefits of the Social Security Scheme if he or she attains the age of sixty years or if he or she has not worked as a gig worker or platform worker for at least ninety days in the previous financial year with any one aggregator or for at least one hundred and twenty days in case of multiple aggregators.