The National Social Security Board for Unorganised Workers and Gig & Platform Workers
Context: The Ministry of Labour & Employment officially notified the constitution of the National Social Security Board for Unorganised Workers and Gig & Platform Workers, under the statutory provisions of the Code on Social Security.
About The National Social Security Board for Unorganised Workers and Gig & Platform Workers:
What it is?
- A statutory national advisory and monitoring apex board constituted to formulate, oversee, and review social security, healthcare, disability, accident, and pension welfare frameworks for informal and platform-based workers across India.
Governed Under: Constituted under the statutory framework of Section 6 of the Code on Social Security, 2020.
Aim: To close the persistent social safety net gap for India’s massive unorganised workforce and rapidly growing gig economy, institutional welfare benefits without disrupting the flexibility of non-traditional employment models.
Members & Composition:
Composition of the Board:
- Chairperson: Union Minister for Labour and Employment.
- Government Representatives: Nominees from Central and State Governments, including statutory bodies such as EPFO and ESIC.
- Industry Representatives: Representatives from digital aggregators, platform companies and industry employers.
- Worker Representatives: Members from trade unions, gig worker associations and civil society organisations.
Meetings: The Board must meet at least three times annually.
Key Functions of the Board
- Recommending Welfare Schemes: Recommends life, disability, accident, health, maternity and old-age benefits for unorganised, gig and platform workers.
- Advising on Code Implementation: Advises the Central Government on policy execution, regulatory issues and administrative challenges under the Code on Social Security.
- Monitoring Welfare Schemes: Reviews the implementation, accessibility and effectiveness of centrally administered social security schemes for informal and platform workers.
- Reviewing State-Level Records: Evaluates worker registration databases, e-Shram linkages and digital records maintained by States and Union Territories.
- Overseeing Fund Expenditure: Reviews allocations, disbursements and expenditure from the Social Security Fund, including government contributions and aggregator levies.
