February 1, 2025: “Gig workers on online platforms bring significant dynamism to the new-age services economy”, remarked Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman ji, while presenting the Union Budget 2025. Recognizing the contributions of gig and platform workers, the Government of India has announced key measures in the Union Budget 2025, including:

• Universal Account Number (UAN) Identity cards and registration on the e-Shram portal.
• Healthcare benefits under the PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)

These provisions are expected to benefit nearly one crore gig and platform workers across India. However, for these schemes to be fully effective, aggregator companies must share data on gig and platform workers with the government. Without mandatory data-sharing with the e-Shram portal, many workers will be unable to access these benefits. The Government of India must ensure strict implementation and accountability, making it compulsory for all platform companies to register workers and contribute towards social security schemes. “There is a need to ensure contributions by aggregator companies towards social security schemes for gig and platform workers”, said Shaik Salauddin, National General Secretary, Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT). It is further important to strengthen the integration of e-Shram registration for gig and platform workers with existing welfare schemes. Registration alone will not suffice to ensure that gig and platform workers can access the full benefits of these initiatives.

The Code on Social Security enables the formulation of schemes covering life and disability cover, accidental insurance, health and maternity benefits, and old-age protection for gig and platform workers. “However, despite a five-year-long struggle, workers continue to await a comprehensive national law, a dedicated welfare board, and full implementation of these measures,” said Santosh Kumar, a member of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers’ Union (TGPWU).
On behalf of all gig and platform workers, we congratulate every worker who has been part of this long fight for recognition and rights. While this announcement is a welcome step, our struggle for enforcement of a dedicated law and effective implementation of welfare schemes for gig and platform workers at the national level continues.

Shaik Salauddin
National General Secretary, Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT)
Founder President, Telangana Gig and Platform Workers’ Union (TGPWU)
Mobile No: +91- 9642424799 /+91- 9177624678