Unorganised, gig workers’ welfare boards: Powers, duties & what changes for workers

The Indian government has established two new boards to monitor and recommend welfare schemes for gig and unorganised workers, marking a significant advancement in social security measures for these sectors. These boards are designed to ensure better protections and benefits for millions of workers.

The Indian Labour Ministry has created two National Social Security Boards: one for unorganised workers and another for gig workers. These boards are tasked with designing and monitoring welfare schemes to address the social security gaps faced by these workers. With a total of 62 members, the boards will provide recommendations to the government on life and disability coverage, health benefits, maternity protections, and more.

The establishment of these boards is seen as a crucial step towards integrating gig workers into the formal welfare system, especially as the gig economy continues to grow rapidly. The boards will convene at least three times a year, allowing for a structured approach towards improving the welfare of approximately 2.35 crore workers projected by the NITI Aayog to enter the gig economy by 2029-30. This initiative also indicates an increasing recognition of the rights and needs of workers in the informal economy.

Source: The Indian Express – https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-economics/unorganised-gig-workers-board-benefits-10945833