1 month ago
Gig Workers Await Ayushman Bharat Health Cover
Gig workers in India are waiting for health insurance coverage under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which was promised in the Union Budget 2025-26.
Over 10.65 lakh workers have registered on the e-Shram portal, but the government has not yet started providing the benefits.
Gig workers, like Shiv Kumar, struggle with financial burdens without health insurance.
The government says it is working on implementing the scheme but has not given a timeline.
There are discussions about extending other benefits like provident funds and pensions, but the health insurance scheme is still not available.
The number of gig workers in India has grown significantly, and the government is trying to organize this sector better.
Over 10.65 lakh gig workers registered on the e-Shram portal await health insurance under Ayushman Bharat.
Union Budget 2025-26 promised health coverage for one crore gig workers, but implementation is delayed.
Gig workers struggle financially without health insurance, as private insurance is unaffordable.
Government has begun registering workers and claims implementation is underway but has not specified a timeline.
Discussions on extending provident fund and pension benefits are ongoing, but no policy on Ayushman Bharat coverage.
- Who
- Gig workers in India
- What
- Awaiting health insurance coverage under the Ayushman Bharat scheme
- Where
- India
- When
- Announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, implementation yet to begin
- Why
- To provide health insurance benefits to gig and platform workers
Gig Workers' Perspective
Government's Perspective
Health Insurance Coverage
Gig Workers' Perspective
Gig workers are struggling without health insurance, as promised in the Union Budget 2025-26, and are awaiting its implementation.
Government's Perspective
The government has begun registering workers on the e-Shram portal and claims implementation is underway, but no timeline has been specified.
Policy Implementation
Gig Workers' Perspective
Gig workers and advocates argue that there has been no policy-level discussion on implementing Ayushman Bharat coverage.
Government's Perspective
The government has held consultations with various stakeholders to develop a social security framework, including welfare schemes under the Code on Social Security.
Key facts
- Number of Gig Workers
- 1.2 crore (120 lakh)
- Registered on e-Shram Portal
- 10.65 lakh
- Announcement Year
- 2025-26
- Government Portal
- e-Shram
- Key Advocate
- Dharamendra Kumar, Founding Secretary of Jan Pahal
- Minister of Labour and Employment
- Mansukh Mandaviya
- Aggregator Module Launch Date
- December 12, 2024
- Simplified Registration Module Launch Date
- March 12, 2025
Quotes
Dharamendra Kumar
Founding Secretary of Jan Pahal, organisation that advocates for gig workers
“Data of more than 10 lakh gig workers has already been collected through the e‑Shram portal, but there has been no policy movement on Ayushman Bharat after that,”
thehindubusinessline.com
“With my salary of Rs 30,000, how can I think of buying insurance from a private company? If the government gives us something, it will be helpful,”
thehindubusinessline.com
Sources
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