Archive · 5 Jan 2026
Draft Social Security Rules May Exclude Gig Workers, Unions Warn
The new rules for social security say gig workers need to work at least 90 days in a year to get benefits.
But most gig workers don't work that much.
Unions say this will leave out many workers, especially those who work part-time or switch between different apps.
They also say the rules don't help women or people who work from home.
The government is asking for feedback before making the rules final.
Draft rules require gig workers to work 90 days on a single platform or 120 days across multiple platforms to qualify for social security benefits.
Unions argue most gig workers won't meet these thresholds, citing data showing the average worker works only 38 days annually.
Worker groups highlight that the rules exclude many workers, especially those who work irregularly or are not asset owners.
Women gig workers face additional challenges, including inconsistent work and inadequate insurance coverage.
Unions demand universal, portable, and pro-rata social security benefits from the first day of work.
- Who
- Gig workers and labor unions
- What
- Draft Social Security Code, 2020 rules
- When
- Draft published on December 30, 2025
- Where
- India
- Why
- To qualify for social security benefits
- Draft Rules Requirement
- 90 days for single platform, 120 days for multiple platforms
- Average Gig Worker Days
- 38 days annually
- Workers Above 250 Days
- 2.3%
- Gig Workers in 2020-21
- 7.7 million
- Projected Gig Workers by 2029-30
- 23.5 million
- Feedback Period
- 45 days