The Gujarat government is planning to establish a dedicated Gig Workers Social Welfare Board and a corresponding fund to address the needs of the state's growing gig workforce. According to top sources familiar with the development, the state government is considering forming this board on the lines of the existing construction workers' welfare board. If required, a gig workers' welfare cess, similar to that in the construction sector, may also be introduced to build a corpus for the fund.
Proposal in Final Stages
The proposal was discussed during a recent brainstorming session (hintan shibir) and is now in the final stages of approval. The government is finalizing the structure of the welfare board and fund, which will soon extend benefits such as insurance, social security, and healthcare facilities to all registered gig workers. The board is also expected to ensure minimum wages and other benefits for these workers.
Alignment with Labour Codes
This move aligns with the comprehensive Labour Codes enacted by the Union government. Specifically, the Code on Social Security (Code 3) extends coverage to all workers, including those in unorganized, gig, and platform sectors, covering life, health, maternity, and provident fund benefits. The state government is also working on a mechanism to integrate the rapidly expanding gig workforce into the formal employment structure by introducing provisions for employee benefits and creating opportunities for skill development.
Who Are Gig Workers?
Gig workers are individuals engaged in short-term, project-based, or freelance work outside the traditional employer-employee framework. They form a significant workforce in Gujarat. Currently, most gig workers are associated with online platforms as delivery personnel but continue to function within the unorganized sector. All such workers are set to be covered under a new policy that will soon be drafted by the state labour, skill development, and employment department, senior government sources confirmed.
This initiative marks a significant step toward formalizing the gig economy and ensuring social security for millions of workers in the state.
