social security for gig workers

Gig workers in Ranchi are facing a severe income crisis as fuel prices surge for the fourth time in 11 days. With petrol now at Rs 105.75 per litre, their earnings have plummeted, leaving them with minimal profit after operational costs. Demands for compensation adjustments and worker status are growing as livelihoods become unsustainable.

New rules under the Code on Social Security mandate gig and platform workers to work 90 days with one aggregator for social security benefits. Those working with multiple platforms need 120 days. Aggregators must register workers and face a 12% annual interest for delayed contributions.

Delivery Riders Quickly Bringing Food & Grocery To Your Homes Are Most Exposed To Heatwave Conditions

In Patna, gig workers are navigating a turbulent sea of survival, grappling with relentless petrol price increases that devour their already limited incomes. With no raises from their platforms, the escalating costs of fuel and food are now swallowing up to half of their daily take-home pay.

Amidst the sweltering heatwave, the Bihar government is stepping up to safeguard the well-being of home delivery and courier workers. To shield these vital workforce members from soaring temperatures, they are setting up dedicated shelters and providing fresh drinking water throughout Patna. This proactive measure underscores the commitment to ensure their health and comfort as demand for online services escalates.

Gig workers are staging a temporary nationwide strike, halting app-based services from 12 pm to 5 pm on Saturday. This protest, organized by GIPSWU, targets rising fuel prices and inadequate payment rates, which are significantly impacting drivers' daily earnings. The union aims to highlight the financial strain caused by increased fuel costs and low payouts.

Kanye West's highly anticipated India concert in New Delhi has been officially cancelled due to security concerns raised by the Indian government amid a high-alert situation. Organizers cited safety as their top priority, respecting official advisories. The show, initially postponed to May 2026 due to geopolitical tensions, will now not proceed as planned.

At a practical level, what employees experience will depend on where they work and how the rules are implemented. For example, an employee in a bank or insurance company, where the central government is the appropriate authority, may begin experiencing more standardised compliance with working hours.

Contract workers in India may soon see a mandatory 2% annual salary increase under new central labour code rules. This provision, effective May 8, 2026, targets 'regularly employed' contract staff, potentially reclassifying them and offering enhanced protections. The rule applies to central government-controlled sectors, with states needing to adopt similar measures for wider implementation.

Commercial vehicle drivers in Delhi-NCR are striking May 21-23, demanding an immediate taxi and auto fare hike. Unions cite 15 years of stagnant fares despite soaring fuel and operational costs, and allege exploitation by app-based aggregators. A protest is planned for May 23, with threats of further escalation if demands aren't met.

One of the most important changes under the new framework relates to the revised method of calculating wages. Since the definition of wages has been expanded, the base used for computing employee benefits is also expected to increase.