Nirmala Sitharaman has facilitated their registration on the e-Shram portal, along with issuance of identity cards
Visakhapatnam: In a significant development, the union government has recognised the essential contribution of gig workers to the services economy.
Emphasising on the role of these workers in the Union Budget 2025, central finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has facilitated their registration on the e-Shram portal, along with issuance of identity cards.
Additionally, nearly one crore gig workers will receive healthcare coverage under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
The announcement has elicited positive response from various gig workers who spoke to Deccan Chronicle. Vasupalli Prithvi emphasised that their inclusion in the budget signifies acknowledgement of their status as workers, which represents a meaningful advancement. He pointed out that some workers rely on gig employment to finance their education. Healthcare access is immensely beneficial in such a scenario.
G. Amar, a graduate student engaged in gig work, revealed that his involvement in the gig sector arose from his father's inability to fund his education. “The job involves urgency of prompt delivery, but lacks support in case of accidents. Healthcare assistance provided by the central government represents a significant advantage,” Amar stated.
CH. Vasundhara took up gig work to pay the school fee of her children. Under the circumstances, she found healthcare support favourable.
R. Raghu, a New Socialist Praxis activist, expressed the opinion that it would have been more beneficial for gig workers if a minimum wage had been offered and gig work integrated into existing labour laws.
Raghu highlighted that while the government's initiative will likely assist only one crore gig workers, though estimates indicate that there are approximately 3.5–4.0 four crore gig workers in India.
