Draft rules of social security released for gig-workers: Health-insurance and accident benefits will be available after working for 90 days; Registration will be done through Aadhaar

The Social Security Code was created for the first time in 2020 for gig and platform workers.

The Central Government has notified draft rules for gig and platform workers under the Social Security Code 2020. Details of registration, eligibility and benefits are given in these. Workers will get benefits if they work for at least 90 days in a year.

How will the registration be done?

All gig workers above 16 years of age are required to register with Aadhaar number. Aggregators like Swiggy, Zomato, Uber etc. will have to share the details of workers on the central portal.

This will generate a Universal Account Number or Unique ID. Registered workers will get a digital or physical identity card, which will have photo and details. These cards can be downloaded from the portal.

What are the eligibility conditions?

To avail benefits, it is necessary to work for at least 90 days with one aggregator or 120 days with multiple aggregators in the previous financial year. Every day’s earnings will count, no matter how much.

If you work on multiple platforms in one day, the count will be different, for example, if you work on three aggregators in one day, it will be considered as three days. Eligibility will end on completion of 60 years of age or not working continuously for 90-120 days.

What benefits will be available?

Eligible workers will get health insurance, life insurance and personal accident insurance. A separate social security fund will be created by taking contributions from aggregators. The central government will appoint an officer or agency who will collect the contributions.

Gig and platform workers were defined for the first time in the Social Security Code 2020. Now practical implementation is taking place from these draft rules. The gig economy is growing rapidly, which includes work like delivery, ride sharing. The government’s aim is to provide security to unorganized workers also.

Seek feedback from stakeholders on draft rules

Feedback has been sought from stakeholders on the draft rules. Five members of gig workers will be nominated in the National Social Security Board, who will be on rotation. The board will estimate the number of workers and suggest new schemes. These may come into effect after the final rules come.

What should workers do?

If you are a gig worker then register soon and keep the details updated. In case of change in address, mobile number or skill, inform on the portal, otherwise the benefits may stop. These rules will be beneficial for lakhs of delivery boys, drivers and freelancers.

On December 25, the delivery workers went on a symbolic strike.

Swiggy-Zomato had announced incentives

2 days ago, amid the strike of gig workers i.e. delivery persons across the country, Swiggy and Zomato had announced to give more incentives on peak hours and year-end days. Zomato sent a message to the delivery partners informing them that during peak hours (6 pm to 12 am) every order will get a payout of ₹ 120-150.

Earnings up to ₹3,000 are promised depending on the number of orders and availability throughout the day. Swiggy said that delivery workers can earn up to ₹ 10,000 between December 31 and January 1. You can earn up to ₹2,000 during peak hours (6 pm to 12 am) on New Year Eve.

Delivery workers went on a symbolic strike on 25th December

There was going to be a strike of gig workers across the country on December 31, in which about 1 lakh workers were going to participate. However, this strike did not take place after the announcement of incentives. The union alleged that companies like Zomato-Swiggy were exploiting them and they were not getting basic legal rights.

The union had warned that if their demands were not heeded, it would affect the growth of the country’s economy. On December 25, the delivery workers went on a symbolic strike. About 40,000 workers participated in it.

There were 5 reasons for the gig workers strike

There was not just one reason behind the strike by delivery partners and riders, but several long-standing grievances. According to union leaders and experts, the main reasons are:

1. Lack of social security and welfare funds

The biggest demand of gig workers is social security. Despite government rules, in many states these workers are still not getting facilities like pension, health insurance or PF.

2. Falling earnings and cut in incentives

Initially, companies used to give more incentives to delivery partners. They have now been reduced. Earlier we used to get ₹40 to ₹60 per order. Now it has come down to between ₹15 to ₹25.

3. Poor working conditions and pressure of 10-minute delivery

In quick commerce apps like Blinkit, Zepto, there is pressure to deliver within 10-12 minutes. Workers allege that due to this the risk of them having an accident has increased.

4. Arbitrary ID blocking

A major complaint of gig workers is that companies block their IDs without any prior notice or concrete reason. Due to this they suddenly lose their employment.

5. Legal status of gig worker

At present these workers are called ‘partners’ of the companies, not ’employees’. Through the strike it is being demanded that they should be considered as formal employees.

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Announcement of giving incentives to delivery partners amid the strike: Swiggy-Zomato will give incentives up to ₹ 150 during peak hours; Food delivery may stop today

Amid the strike by gig workers i.e. delivery persons across the country, Swiggy and Zomato have announced to give more incentives on peak hours and year-end days. Zomato sent a message to the delivery partners informing them that during peak hours (6 pm to 12 am) every order will get a payout of ₹ 120-150. Read the full news…