NEW DELHI: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced on Saturday that the government would provide identity cards and e-Shram portal registration for 1 crore gig workers. While presenting the Union Budget 2025-26, she also introduced a scheme aimed at the socio-economic upliftment of urban workers.
"...Gig workers of online platforms provide great dynamism to the 'New Age' services economy. Recognising their contribution, our government will arrange for their identity cards and registration on the e-Shram portal," she said.
She said that these workers would receive healthcare benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), benefiting nearly one crore individuals.
The PM SVANidhi scheme is set to be revamped, offering enhanced bank loans, UPI-linked credit cards with a Rs 30,000 limit, and capacity-building support. Additionally, a committee with representatives from various stakeholders has been formed to develop a framework for social security and welfare benefits for gig and platform workers.
The ministry of labour and employment had advised aggregators to register themselves and their platform workers on the e-Shram portal. For the first time, gig and platform workers were formally defined in the Code on Social Security 2020, enacted by Parliament. This Code outlines provisions for their social security and welfare, including life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, and old-age protection.
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