Gig Workers National Social Security Board

National Social Security Board has been constituted by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in order to establish a formal institution that would enhance social security for informal workers in India.

This move has been announced on October 30, 2026 within the ambit of the code on social security, 2020. The board will function in order to provide advice, recommendations and monitor welfare measures for both unorganised workers as well as gig and platform workers.

Union Labour Minister to Head the Board

The Board will be headed by the Union Minister for Labour and Employment. The members of the Board will consist of representatives of the Central government, state government, aggregators, employers, civil society groups, workers’ union/association of gig and platform workers.

Involvement of various stakeholders is aimed at engaging the government authorities, employers, and worker representatives in the discussion of social security policies.

As per the Ministry, the Board will convene at least three times a year. It will conduct itself in accordance with the rules laid down by the Central Government.

Key Responsibilities of the National Social Security Board

One of the duties of the Board is going to be recommending appropriate social security schemes for various categories of unorganised, gig and platform workers. Another function of the Board is advising the Central Government on all issues relating to the implementation of the Code on Social Security.

Functions of the Board shall also include overseeing welfare schemes implemented by the Central Government, review of the record-keeping functions done at the state level and also the expenditures from the concerned funds/accounts.

Other duties can be assigned to the Board by the Central Government.

What It Means for Gig and Platform Workers

This notification is in light of the growth of India’s platform economy wherein millions of individuals earn through various activities such as food delivery, ride-hailing, logistics and other such app-based jobs.

In contrast to traditional salaried individuals, most gig workers are usually engaged in an employment scenario that lies outside the ambit of the regular employer-employee relationship, making it difficult for them to receive benefits and have financial security.

The Social Security Code includes provisions for welfare schemes covering aspects like life and disability, accident insurance, health and maternity, and retirement schemes. There is also provision for the Social Security Fund that will be utilized to fund these schemes.

The creation of the Board involves creating a mechanism that will help in recommending and monitoring these welfare schemes. The notification does not, however, introduce any new schemes or payments or timelines for their implementation.

The next step will involve implementing welfare schemes through these policy recommendations.