Hyderabad, Feb 16 (TNT): The Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) has formally submitted its suggestions on the Draft Rules under the Code on Social Security, 2020 for Gig and platform workers to Union Minister for Labour and Employment, Mansukh Mandaviya, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment. The draft rules were published on December 30, 2025.
The recommendations were submitted by Shaik Salauddin, Co-Founder and National General Secretary of IFAT and Founder President of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers’ Union , on behalf of Gig and platform workers across India, the Federation said in a release here on Monday.
The initiative received support from labour experts, activists, civil society organisations, NGOs, and trade unions from across the country.
IFAT welcomed the draft rules as a necessary and long-awaited step toward operationalising social security for gig and platform workers.
The draft framework recognises the growing importance of platform-mediated work and seeks to establish mechanisms for worker registration, aggregator contributions, representation of workers in social security boards, and delivery of benefits.
At the same time, IFAT identified several key gaps and submitted detailed suggestions to ensure maximum coverage, transparency, and worker participation.
With regard to Clause 49(2)(e) of Chapter VIII, which requires a gig or platform worker to have worked not less than ninety days with an aggregator, or one hundred and twenty days across multiple aggregators in the last financial year to be eligible for benefits, IFAT argued that such a condition should be removed.
The federation noted that platform work is inherently precarious and that adverse events such as accidents may occur irrespective of the number of days worked.
On Clause 49(2)(h), which states that failure to update a worker’s data may render the worker ineligible for benefits, IFAT contended that aggregators must bear greater responsibility.
It suggested either deleting the clause or mandating that aggregators bear the cost of social security contributions where non-updation is attributable to them.
IFAT further proposed that workers must be informed about data updates and provided with an effective grievance redress mechanism.
Regarding Clause 50(4), which disqualifies workers from social security benefits upon attaining sixty years of age, IFAT expressed concern that platform work does not have a formal retirement age. The federation recommended removing the upper age limit to reflect the realities of gig work.
Additional recommendations included documentation of proceedings and minutes in regional languages, representation of diverse categories of platform work (both location-based and remote work) in the National Social Security Board, clarity on implementation of schemes specific to women and the third gender, and stronger accountability mechanisms for aggregators.
IFAT also urged the Ministry to convene a national-level stakeholder consultation involving trade unions, gig and platform workers, aggregators, and government agencies.
According to the federation, such a consultation is essential to frame inclusive and balanced rules that reflect ground realities and safeguard workers’ rights.
Speaking on the issue, Shaik Salauddin stated that the social security framework must be worker-centric and guided by principles of equity, inclusion, and shared responsibility.
He described the draft rules as a historic opportunity to establish a comprehensive social protection system for millions engaged in India’s expanding digital economy.
IFAT reiterated its commitment to constructive engagement with the Government of India and all stakeholders to ensure that the Code on Social Security, 2020 evolves into a meaningful and effective framework for the welfare and protection of gig and platform workers.
TNT TS
Leave a Reply