The committee tasked with developing a framework for providing social security and welfare benefits to gig and platform workers will submit its report by the end of January, according to sources in the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment. The earlier expected time was the end of December.
“The deliberations are still ongoing. We are expecting the report by end of this month,” an official told Outlook Business.
On 30 December, Labour Secretary Sumita Dawra, during a meeting with a committee of experts, emphasised that the committee should submit its report in a time-bound manner, clearly recommending a framework to address the social security concerns of the uncovered workforce.
“Global best practices may also be thoroughly analysed before finalising the framework in order to set a benchmark in framing the welfare schemes,” Dawra said.
The meeting was attended by officials from the Ministry and Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
The members and special invitees of the committee constituted to develop the framework also joined. They include representatives from industry, platform aggregators like Zomato and Swiggy, the Workers’ Association (IFAT), and knowledge partners from NITI Aayog, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), and state governments.
The framework is being formulated due to the delay in the enforcement of the Labour Codes passed in 2020. Five states and union territories are yet to publish the draft rules under the code. The central government, however, is confident of bringing them on board by the end of the current financial year.
