Government to Safeguard Gig Workers' Rights with New Labor Code Provisions

In a recent announcement, Labor Minister Mansukh Mandaviya revealed the government's commitment to safeguarding gig workers' rights through the implementation of new labor code provisions. With approximately 8 million gig workers in India, the government aims to provide social security and legal recognition to this emerging workforce. Mandaviya emphasized that both central and state governments will play a crucial role in enforcing these laws to ensure the protection of workers' interests. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the safety and rights of workers in the gig economy. Read on to learn more about the government's plans and the implications for gig workers across the country.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 30, 2026, 18:23 IST

Protection for Gig Workers Under New Labor Code

On Thursday, Minister of Labor and Employment, Mansukh Mandaviya, announced that the government is committed to implementing provisions of the labor code to protect the interests of gig workers and provide them with social security. During the question hour in the Rajya Sabha, he responded to a supplementary question, highlighting that the gig worker system in India is a new and evolving framework. According to a report by the NITI Aayog, there are approximately 8 million gig workers in India, with around 1 million registered on the e-Shram portal.

The minister emphasized that under the labor code, gig workers have been recognized and granted legal status, which is part of the government's efforts to safeguard their rights as employees. A gig worker is defined as an individual who operates outside the traditional employer-employee relationship or engages in work arrangements to earn income. Mandaviya stated that the government has made provisions to ensure social security for gig workers and protect their interests.

He assured the house that the provisions made in the labor code for the protection of gig workers' interests would be enforced to ensure their safety. Under the Modi government, nearly 1.01 billion individuals are covered under various social security schemes. In a written response to another question, Mandaviya explained that labor is a subject listed in the concurrent list of the Constitution of India, which means both the central and state governments are responsible for implementing and enforcing labor laws within their respective jurisdictions.

He added that both the central and state governments take appropriate measures to protect the interests of workers and ensure compliance with legal provisions under the labor code. The labor code includes several provisions aimed at strengthening the protections available to workers.