Context:
India’s gig and platform economy is projected to become a significant employment generator. A recent VV Giri National Labour Institute (VVGNLI) study estimates that the sector may employ 61 million workers by 2047, comprising 15% of the non-agricultural workforce.
What is a Gig Worker?
A gig worker is an individual who undertakes short-term, flexible jobs, often facilitated by digital platforms, without a traditional employer-employee relationship. These workers are typically independent contractors, providing services for various clients on a project-by-project or task-by-task basis. Examples include ride-sharing drivers, food delivery workers, freelance writers, and graphic designers.
Key Challenges
- Gig workers lack formal employment status, falling between contract and permanent workers.
- Excluded from key welfare benefits:
- No access to health insurance, paid leave, or provident fund.
- Often worse off than informal workers under the Unorganised Workers Social Security Act.
- Surveys since 2020 show:
- 1 in 7 gig workers earn below minimum wage.
- Precarious working conditions are common.
e-Shram Portal
- Launched by: Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India
- Launch Date: August 26, 2021
- Objective: To build a National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW) to ensure delivery of social security schemes
- Target Group: 38 crore unorganised workers including migrant labourers, gig workers, street vendors, construction workers
Key Features of the e-Shram Portal
- Universal Account Number (UAN): Unique 12-digit number for each worker
- e-Shram Card: Identity + Portability + Access to multiple government schemes
- Aadhaar-linked Registration: Single sign-up for access to central benefits
- Data Captured: Name, occupation, skill set, income, education, etc.
- Scheme Linkage: Integrated with major central schemes like:
- PM-SYM (Pension Yojana)
- PM-JAY (Ayushman Bharat)
- Future linking planned with ESI, EPFO
Objectives
- Provide universal social protection for informal workers
- Enable Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) across schemes
- Create a live database to guide national policy and crisis relief
