The announcement made by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget, was widely welcomed by the over one crore gig and online platform workers in the country.
They will now be eligible for social security schemes, universal account number (UAN) identity cards, registration on the e-shram portal and the PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY).
Once implemented this marks the realisation of a long pending ‘recognized sector’ status plea. Their plight was especially heart-wrenching during the Covid lockdown.
It may be recalled that the Congress, during the run-up to the state Assembly elections, had assured to make them an integral part of an organised sector.
Mahesh, a former gig worker from Baghlingampally, said, “I took the decision to quit as there was no security and it appeared like we were daily-wage workers. As part of our job, we are always on the road. Should a road tragedy befall, families of executives like me would be deprived of any sort of financial support or security. I am now more comfortable financially having opened a xerox centre two years back.”
Saturday’s move is likely to encourage many youngsters to take up this profession. Moreover, many work on a part-time basis. It is now expected that more transport workers like cab and auto drivers may enroll themselves.
Dinker Vashisht, vice-president (corporate affairs), Swiggy, told this newspaper, "It is a very encouraging move that platform and gig workers are being considered as an important part of India's urban landscape. We will keenly wait for more details on how the government goes about implementing the welfare schemes. Many platforms are already providing health and other forms of insurance to their delivery partners for the past several years."
The Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) and Telangana Gig and Platform Workers’ Union (TGPWU), which have been striving for recognition of these workers, welcomed the decision.
Its founder and general secretary Shaik Salauddin, sounded a caution “For these schemes to be fully effective, the aggregator companies must share data of gig and platform workers with the government, especially on the e-shram portal. Failure to do so will mean that such workers will not be eligible to avail of the benefits.”
He added, “The Centre must ensure strict implementation and accountability, making it compulsory for all platform companies to register workers and contribute towards social security schemes."
