Source TOI
NEW DELHI, Jan 2, 2026 — In a major move to formalize India’s burgeoning gig economy, the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment has proposed new draft rules requiring gig and platform workers to complete at least 90 days of work in a financial year to qualify for social security benefits.
The draft notification, released for public feedback on December 30, 2025, arrives at a critical juncture as delivery partners and ride-hailing drivers across the country have intensified strikes demanding better pay and legal protections.
The 90-Day Eligibility Threshold
Under the proposed rules, a worker must be “engaged” with a platform aggregator (such as Zomato, Swiggy, or Uber) for a minimum of 90 days within a fiscal year to access government-backed welfare schemes.
For workers who “multi-app”—juggling multiple platforms simultaneously—the eligibility threshold is set slightly higher at 120 days. However, the government has introduced a worker-friendly “cumulative counting” mechanism:
Income-Based Entry: A worker is considered “engaged” on any day they earn an income, regardless of the amount.
Cumulative Tracking: If a worker completes deliveries for three different apps on a single day, it will count as three days toward their total eligibility.
Third-Party Inclusion: The rules apply to workers engaged directly or through subsidiaries, associates, or third-party agencies.
Key Benefits and Protections
The draft rules aim to integrate gig workers into the formal safety net provided by the Code on Social Security, 2020. Once the eligibility criteria are met, workers will gain access to:
Benefit Category Proposed Coverage
Health & Life Insurance coverage for life and disability; integration with Ayushman Bharat.
Accident Insurance Coverage for personal accidents occurring during work hours.
Maternity & Old Age Access to maternity benefits and potential future pension schemes.
Digital Identity Aadhaar-linked registration on the e-Shram portal and a Universal Account Number (UAN).
Why Now?
The timing of the proposal is significant. On New Year’s Eve, thousands of gig workers under the banner of the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) staged a nationwide “App-Bandh,” causing significant service delays in cities like Pune and Bengaluru.
While the new rules provide a roadmap for social security, union leaders remain cautious. “Recognition is a step forward, but 90 days of work doesn’t solve the immediate issue of falling per-order payouts and high fuel costs,” noted one union representative.
Next Steps for Implementation
The government has invited stakeholders to submit their feedback on the draft rules within 45 days. These rules are expected to be fully operationalized by April 1, 2026, alongside the three other major labor codes (Wages, Industrial Relations, and Occupational Safety).
Aggregators will be required to contribute 1–2% of their annual turnover to a dedicated Social Security Fund to finance these welfare measures.
