Govt notifies National Social Security Board for gig, platform workers

The Indian government has notified the National Social Security Board to address the welfare needs of gig and platform workers, alongside traditional unorganized workers. The Ministry of Labour & Employment has established this board under the Code on Social Security framework, marking a significant step towards providing comprehensive social security for India's vast informal workforce.

The National Social Security Board will be presided over by the Union Minister for Labour & Employment and will include representatives from various stakeholders such as central and state governments, aggregator companies, employers, civil society organizations, workers' unions, and gig and platform worker associations. The board's primary responsibilities include designing, monitoring, and recommending targeted welfare schemes to bridge the social security gap for gig and platform workers, as well as traditional unorganized workers.

The National Social Security Board is mandated to meet at least three times a year and will follow the rules of procedure for conducting meetings, as prescribed by the Central government. It will recommend suitable welfare schemes to the Central government for different sections of unorganized workers, gig workers, and platform workers.

Additionally, the board will advise the Central government on matters related to the administration of social security schemes for these workers, monitor the functioning of such schemes administered by the Central government, review record-keeping at the state level, and oversee the expenditure from the fund and accounts. The board may also undertake other functions assigned to it by the Central government from time to time.