{"id":164365,"date":"2025-05-05T14:25:09","date_gmt":"2025-05-05T08:55:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=mains-answer-writing&#038;p=164365"},"modified":"2025-05-06T11:51:48","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T06:21:48","slug":"examine-the-adequacy-of-indias-current-social-security-framework-for-gig-workers","status":"publish","type":"mains-answer-writing","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/mains-answer-writing\/examine-the-adequacy-of-indias-current-social-security-framework-for-gig-workers","title":{"rendered":"A 2024 NITI Aayog report estimated that 90 per cent of gig workers lack savings, leaving them vulnerable to emergencies. In this context, examine the adequacy of India\u2019s current social security framework for gig workers. What reforms are necessary to ensure their financial resilience and long-term welfare? (15 Marks, 250 Words)"},"content":{"rendered":"<table style=\"width: 99.4976%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>Core Demand of the Question<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Examine the adequacy of India\u2019s current social security framework for gig workers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suggest reforms necessary to ensure gig workers\u2019 financial resilience.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suggest reforms necessary to ensure gig workers\u2019 long term welfare.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Answer<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><b>2024 NITI Aayog report<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> estimated that <\/span><b>90% of gig workers lack savings<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making them highly vulnerable to economic shocks, health crises, and irregular income. This underscores the pressing need for a comprehensive and inclusive <\/span><b>social security framework<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> tailored to India\u2019s growing <\/span><b>gig economy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and platform workforce.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>India\u2019s Social Security Framework for Gig Workers<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Limited Access to Existing Schemes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Most gig workers are excluded from schemes like <\/span><b>EPF<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>ESIC<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> due to the absence of a formal employer-employee link.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><b>For example:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A civil society report found over <\/span><b>60% of app-based drivers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> lack access to social security despite working more than 14 hours daily.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Inadequate Implementation of the Code on Social Security, 2020<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Though this Code includes gig workers, its execution remains slow and fragmented.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><b>For example:<\/b> <b>NITI Aayog<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has proposed a dedicated corpus fund for gig workers, but operational rollout and institutional coordination are still weak.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Lack of Employer Contributions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Platforms typically do not contribute to social security, denying workers safety nets.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><b>For example:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The <\/span><b>Rajasthan Gig Workers Welfare Act 2023<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> mandates platform contributions to a welfare board an innovation not yet scaled nationally.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Absence of Health and Safety Nets<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Gig workers often lack insurance or health coverage, increasing their risk during illness or accidents.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><b>For example:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A survey by <\/span><b>LEAD at Korea University<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> found that <\/span><b>65% of gig workers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> lack savings and nearly <\/span><b>50%<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have no insurance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Gender Disparities in Social Security Access<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Women in gig work face structural and safety barriers that reduce benefit access.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><b>For example:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Policies on platforms like <\/span><b>Urban Company<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have disproportionately impacted women, reducing their participation and social protection coverage.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Suggest Reforms Necessary to Ensure Gig Workers\u2019 Financial Resilience<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Establish a Dedicated Social Security Fund<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: A jointly financed fund by government and platforms can cushion workers against income shocks.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><b>For example:<\/b> <b>NITI Aayog<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has proposed a contingency corpus fund to extend targeted protection during job loss or emergencies.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Mandate Platform Contributions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Requiring companies to share social security costs can create equitable financial security.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><b>For example:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Government discussions propose platforms contribute <\/span><b>1\u20132% of revenue<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to a central welfare fund for gig workers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Expand Access to Existing Schemes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Schemes like <\/span><b>PMSYM<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>APY<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>NPS<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> should be made accessible with relaxed eligibility for gig workers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Implement Portable Benefits<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Ensuring benefits travel with workers across platforms will improve coverage continuity.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Enhance Financial Literacy and Inclusion<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Training in financial planning can help gig workers build savings and manage risks.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><b>For example:<\/b> <b>NITI Aayog<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> emphasized fintech solutions to improve financial access for the \u201cunbanked and under-banked\u201d gig workforce.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Suggest Reforms Necessary to Ensure Gig Workers\u2019 Long-Term Welfare<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Formal Recognition of Gig Workers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Legal identification will enable rights-based access to social protection schemes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Implement Comprehensive Health and Safety Regulations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Institutionalized health coverage is key to long-term welfare.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><b>For example:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The <\/span><b>Tamil Nadu<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> government launched an insurance program for gig workers covering accidental death and disability.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Promote Collective Bargaining Rights<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Unionization can empower workers to negotiate better pay and conditions.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><b>For example:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The <\/span><b>Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has successfully advocated for safety and grievance redress systems.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Develop Gender-Sensitive Policies<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Women-specific support such as safety features and maternity protection is crucial.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><b>For example:<\/b> <b>NITI Aayog<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> recommends platform-government collaboration to recruit and retain skilled women gig workers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Establish Grievance Redressal Mechanisms<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: A fair dispute resolution system would improve worker trust and retention.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><b>For example:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Policy initiatives are exploring grievance systems aligned with <\/span><b>labor codes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for resolving worker-platform disputes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India\u2019s gig economy is <\/span><b>expanding rapidly<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, yet its social protection systems<\/span><b> remain exclusionary<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>fragmented<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. To ensure gig workers\u2019 financial resilience and long-term welfare, it is essential to implement inclusive, enforceable, and portable benefit frameworks, supported by <\/span><b>platform accountability, gender equity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and<\/span><b> institutional reforms<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> across central and state levels.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.6375%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 111.19%; text-align: center;\" colspan=\"2\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Also Read<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/editorial-analysis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Daily Editorials<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/daily-current-affairs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Daily Current Affairs<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/quiz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Daily Current Affairs Quiz<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/mains-answer-writing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Daily Main Answer Writing<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-previous-year-papers?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Previous+Year+Papers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Check Out Previous Years Papers From PW Store<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/upsc-test-series-courses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Test Series<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-textbooks?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Textbooks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-modules?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Modules\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Check Out UPSC Modules From PW Store<\/b><\/a><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Core Demand of the Question Examine the adequacy of India\u2019s current social security framework for gig workers. Suggest reforms necessary to ensure gig workers\u2019 financial resilience. Suggest reforms necessary to ensure gig workers\u2019 long term welfare. Answer A 2024 NITI Aayog report estimated that 90% of gig workers lack savings, making them highly vulnerable to&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/mains-answer-writing\/examine-the-adequacy-of-indias-current-social-security-framework-for-gig-workers\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">A 2024 NITI Aayog report estimated that 90 per cent of gig workers lack savings, leaving them vulnerable to emergencies. In this context, examine the adequacy of India\u2019s current social security framework for gig workers. What reforms are necessary to ensure their financial resilience and long-term welfare? (15 Marks, 250 Words)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"paper-wise":[2089],"subject":[2100],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/mains-answer-writing\/164365"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/mains-answer-writing"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/mains-answer-writing"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=164365"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/mains-answer-writing\/164365\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":165477,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/mains-answer-writing\/164365\/revisions\/165477"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=164365"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"paper-wise","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/paper-wise?post=164365"},{"taxonomy":"subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/subject?post=164365"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}