Sumita Dawra, Secretary of the Labour and Employment (L&E) Office under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, emphasized the importance of developing a comprehensive social security framework for gig and platform workers during a recent meeting with a committee of experts. The discussion aimed to review the progress in forming social security schemes specifically tailored for these workers.
In her keynote address, Dawra informed the committee that the Ministry is currently engaged in advanced consultations with various stakeholders. She urged the committee members to thoroughly examine options within flagship government initiatives, including the PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), which provides healthcare coverage of ₹5 lakh per family, as well as the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), PM Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), and PM Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY). The goal is to devise a robust social security framework for gig and platform workers, as noted in the Ministry’s official statement.
The Ministry also highlighted the necessity of analyzing global best practices to establish effective welfare schemes. Dawra reiterated that the committee is expected to present its report promptly, with detailed recommendations addressing the social security concerns of this previously overlooked workforce.
She stressed that the committee should consider factors such as eligibility criteria, the episodic nature of employment in the industry, and mechanisms for contributions to the social security framework.
The meeting was attended by several key officials, including Ramesh Krishnamurthi, the Central Provident Fund Commissioner of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization, and Ashok Kumar Singh, Director General of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), along with other senior representatives from the Ministry, ESIC, and EPFO. Additionally, committee members and special invitees, including representatives from industry, platform aggregators like Zomato and Swiggy, workers’ associations, and knowledge partners from Niti Aayog, ILO, NCAER, OMI, and various state governments, participated virtually.
