Gig workers may get social security benefits through 2% transaction levy on businesses

The Indian government is contemplating a 2% transaction levy on aggregators to provide social security benefits to over 12 million gig and platform workers. The National Social Security Board, established recently, will finalize and oversee the implementation of the scheme in the second half of the month. Industry experts believe the government aims to prevent one segment of aggregators from subsidizing another, leading to the adoption of a transaction-based levy instead of a turnover-based one.

A senior official mentioned that the scheme is nearly ready and could be introduced in 2027, emphasizing the government's eagerness to extend social security coverage to gig and platform workers. Funded entirely by aggregators through the Social Security Fund, the scheme is expected to offer benefits like life and disability insurance, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits.

While pension, provident fund, and other old-age benefits may come later, once the government assesses the long-term engagement of gig workers. The transaction-based levy shift follows industry suggestions that turnover computation varies across platforms. India's gig workforce expanded by 55% to 12 million in 2025-26, accounting for over 2% of the country's total workforce.

NITI Aayog projects the gig economy to reach 6.7% of the workforce by 2029-30, contributing 2.35 lakh crore to the GDP. The 2020 Social Security Code mandates 90 days of work with a single aggregator or 120 days cumulatively across multiple platforms to access social security benefits.