India Addresses Social Security for Gig Workers

The Ministry of Labour and Employment in India is actively reviewing welfare measures for unorganised labor, particularly focusing on connecting migrant workers, construction workers, and those in the Beedi/Cine/Non-Coal Mine sectors with relevant social security schemes. Secretary Sumita Dawra emphasized the importance of developing a Standard Operating Procedure to categorize unorganised workers and align them with existing welfare programs. Concurrently, the gig economy is experiencing significant growth, with 6.2 million workers over 55 participating, prompting the need for freelancers to adopt new budgeting strategies due to their irregular income. A recent study highlights the impact of algorithmic management on gig workers, indicating that it can enhance job crafting behaviors through gameful experiences but may also hinder perceived job autonomy. The Indian government is drafting a national law to integrate gig workers into social security schemes, recognizing the urgent need for a robust safety net amidst the sector's rapid expansion. This evolving landscape of the gig economy underscores the necessity for labor law reforms to improve the formalization and protection of gig workers.