New Delhi, 30 October (H.S.): The Central Government has notified the constitution of the National Social Security Board for unorganised workers, including gig and platform workers, under the Code on Social Security, 2020. The initiative aims to extend the ambit of social protection to workers in the unorganised sector as well as those engaged through digital platforms.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has issued the formal notification for constituting the Board under the provisions of the Social Security Code, paving the way for a structured mechanism to formulate and monitor welfare measures for these categories of workers.

According to the Ministry, the Union Minister for Labour and Employment will chair the Board. Its membership will include representatives of the Central and state governments, aggregator companies, employers, civil society organisations, trade unions and organisations representing gig and platform workers.

The National Social Security Board will be responsible for recommending, formulating and monitoring targeted welfare schemes for unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers. It will also advise the government on measures to address gaps in social security coverage among millions of workers in the unorganised economy.

As stipulated in the notification, the Board will meet at least three times a year. Procedures governing the conduct of its meetings and other operational matters will be determined in accordance with the rules prescribed by the Central Government.

The Board will recommend suitable social security schemes for different categories of unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers. It will also advise the government on matters referred to it concerning the administration of the Code on Social Security.

In addition, the Board will monitor social welfare schemes implemented by the Central Government and review state-level record-keeping mechanisms. Its responsibilities will also include examining the utilisation of funds and expenditure reflected in the accounts, besides carrying out other tasks assigned by the Central Government.

The notification marks another step towards bringing gig and platform workers within India's formal social security framework, with the broader objective of ensuring more comprehensive welfare protection for a workforce increasingly engaged in digital and non-traditional employment arrangements.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar