Healthcare Coverage and Digital Identity Rollout
The government is set to extend comprehensive welfare support to nearly 1 crore gig workers—including delivery partners, drivers, and platform-based freelancers—through integration with Ayushman Bharat under the PM Jan Arogya Yojana.
Eligible workers will be registered on the e-Shram Portal, receiving digital identity cards and health insurance cover of up to ₹5 lakh per year, covering both OPD services and hospitalisation. The scheme also includes accident insurance up to ₹10 lakh, with benefits designed to be portable across platforms such as Zomato, Swiggy, and Ola.
Skilling, Pensions and Social Security Integration
To improve long-term employability, the scheme proposes partnerships with 100 skill hubs offering nano-courses in high-demand areas such as EV maintenance, drone delivery, and AI-enabled logistics. These programmes will be partly funded through CSR contributions.
In addition, a portable pension framework is being introduced, featuring 2% matched contributions aligned with Employees’ State Insurance Corporation norms. The initiative aims to cover 10 million gig workers by 2027, providing income security beyond active platform work.
Building a Sustainable Gig Economy
The welfare package seeks to formally integrate gig workers who contribute nearly 15% of the gig economy’s GDP, addressing high attrition by enabling benefits portability across employers and platforms. Policymakers estimate the measures could reduce attrition by up to 25% by improving income stability and access to social security.
To support work infrastructure, ₹1,000 crore has been earmarked under urban challenge funds for setting up co-working and support nodes in 50 cities, strengthening last-mile service delivery and worker productivity.
