Winning Bizness Desk

Mumbai.Millions of delivery partners and cab drivers working with app-based platforms across India are set to receive health insurance, life cover and accident protection, as the central government has notified draft rules under the Social Security Code 2020. The move comes amid rising protests by gig workers and a recent nationwide symbolic strike that highlighted long-standing concerns over income security and working conditions.

The Social Security Code 2020 is the first central law to formally recognise gig and platform workers. Under the new draft rules, workers associated with food delivery and ride-hailing platforms such as Swiggy and Zomato will be eligible for social security benefits, subject to meeting certain work-related conditions. The government has invited feedback from stakeholders before finalising and implementing the rules.

Registration process and identity requirements

To access the benefits, gig and platform workers will have to register on a dedicated government portal, with assistance from the companies they work for.

Key registration features include:

• Aadhaar number is mandatory for enrolment
• Minimum age for registration is 16 years
• A universal account number will be generated once data is shared
• A digital identity card with photo and personal details will be issued
• Workers must regularly update mobile number, address or skill details on the portal

Failure to keep details updated may lead to suspension of benefits, according to the draft rules.

Minimum work days set for eligibility

Not every gig worker will automatically qualify for social security coverage. The government has set minimum work thresholds to determine eligibility.

The main conditions include:

• At least 90 days of work in a year with a single platform
• If working across multiple platforms, a minimum of 120 working days
• Work done for three platforms in one day will be counted as three days
• Eligibility ends after the worker turns 60 years old

Workers who fail to meet the required number of days in a year may be excluded from the scheme.

Insurance cover and social security fund

The draft rules propose the creation of a separate social security fund, financed through contributions from platform companies. This fund will be used to provide multiple welfare benefits to registered workers.

Proposed benefits include:

• Life insurance and health insurance cover
• Personal accident insurance during work-related incidents
• Pension-linked and future welfare schemes

The National Social Security Board will include five nominated gig worker representatives, selected on a rotational basis. The board will estimate the number of eligible workers and recommend new schemes based on ground realities.

Draft rules open for stakeholder feedback

The government has clarified that the notified rules are still in draft form. Feedback has been sought from companies, worker unions and other stakeholders before the final rollout. Once finalised, the rules are expected to be implemented nationwide.

The announcement follows a symbolic strike by delivery workers on December 25, during which concerns over pay cuts, safety risks and lack of welfare benefits were raised across several cities.

Incentives announced amid worker unrest

During the strike period, food delivery platforms announced temporary incentives to ease worker dissatisfaction. Zomato informed delivery partners that they would receive payouts of ₹120 to ₹150 per order during peak hours between 6 pm and midnight. Swiggy said delivery workers could earn up to ₹10,000 combined on December 31 and January 1.

Why gig workers went on strike

Union leaders and labour experts say the protests were driven by multiple unresolved issues rather than a single trigger.

Key reasons included:

• Absence of social security and welfare funds
• Declining earnings and reduced per-order incentives
• Pressure to meet 10–12 minute delivery timelines, increasing accident risk
• Sudden blocking of worker IDs without prior notice
• Demand for formal employee status instead of partner classification

While the draft rules mark a significant policy shift, gig workers say effective implementation will be crucial to restoring trust and ensuring long-term security in India’s fast-growing platform economy.