Govt to set up welfare board for gig, platform workers; Rs 10 cr allocated

New Delhi, May 16

In a major move towards safeguarding the rights and welfare of gig and platform-based workers, the Delhi government on Friday announced the formation of a dedicated welfare board for this growing segment of the workforce. Labour Minister Kapil Mishra chaired the first-ever official meeting with gig workers and top representatives from platform companies, including Swiggy, Zomato, Uber, Blinkit, UrbanClap, and BigBasket.

Terming the step “historic,” Mishra said the initiative was aimed at addressing long-pending issues such as long working hours, low pay, and lack of grievance redressal for gig workers, who remain largely outside the ambit of traditional labour protections. “We are committed to working closely with both the workers and the platforms. The government will soon constitute a welfare board for gig and platform workers and I assure everyone that Rs 10 crore has already been allocated in the budget to support this cause,” he said during a meeting at the Delhi Secretariat.

During the session, gig workers spoke candidly about their everyday struggles — including the unpredictability of earnings, rising fuel costs, and the absence of basic protections like health insurance or leave. They urged the government to build a system that offers economic stability and safeguards their rights.

Responding to their concerns, Mishra assured gig workers that they would not face harassment from officials and promised that all schemes would be designed with the cooperation of aggregators. “This is not just a policy measure but a commitment to those who keep our city running — delivering food, ferrying passengers, and providing doorstep services,” he said.

Platform companies also presented their current welfare initiatives, such as accident insurance, skill development programs, and educational aid for workers’ children. They welcomed the government’s efforts and expressed willingness to collaborate on building a formal safety net for gig workers.

With nearly five lakh gig workers operating in Delhi alone, and over one crore nationwide, the sector is a key component of India’s urban economy. As per NITI Aayog projections, the national gig workforce is expected to grow to 2.4 crore by 2029-30.

The government’s decision to set up a welfare board is seen as a significant policy shift towards acknowledging and institutionalising rights for workers in the informal digital economy. Officials said the board would play a pivotal role in designing schemes related to health insurance, financial aid, skill training, and retirement benefits for gig workers.