Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 2: Gig and platform workers will now be required to work for at least 90 days with a single aggregator, or 120 days in case of multiple aggregators, within a financial year to qualify for social security benefits, according to draft rules issued by the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment for public feedback.
The notification, dated December 30, 2025, was issued a day ahead of a nationwide strike by gig and platform workers on New Year’s Eve, during which workers demanded higher payouts, job security and improved working conditions.
As per the draft rules, a gig or platform worker will be considered “engaged” with an aggregator for a day if the worker earns any amount of income, irrespective of how small, for work performed on that particular calendar day.
The rules further clarify that:
• Engagement days will be counted cumulatively if a worker is associated with multiple aggregators.
• If a worker is engaged with three different aggregators on the same day, it will be counted as three engagement days.
• Workers engaged directly by an aggregator or through its associate company, holding company, subsidiary, LLP, or even a third party will be treated as eligible under the framework.
The ministry said the move aims to clearly define eligibility for social security schemes notified by the Centre under labour welfare laws.
Mandatory registration, digital identity cards
The draft rules also make it mandatory for unorganised workers, including gig and platform workers, to register on the Centre’s designated portal. Once registered, eligible workers will be issued a digital identity card carrying their photograph and other details as specified by the Central Government.
The labour ministry has already initiated registrations on the e-Shram portal, which functions as the national database for unorganised workers and acts as a gateway for accessing social security benefits.
Registered workers will be required to periodically update personal and professional details, including address, occupation, mobile number and skills. Failure to update these details may result in workers being declared ineligible for social security schemes, the draft rules warn.
The ministry has invited public comments on the draft before finalising the rules, which are expected to have a significant impact on India’s rapidly growing gig and platform workforce.