The draft rules on how gig workers and platform workers will be given benefits under the Code on Social Security, 2020 need to clarify how welfare schemes prescribed in the Code will be funded, the Indian Federation of App Based Transport Workers recommended in a press note. The organisation, which represents over 35,000 workers, also said that the government needs to clearly define the conditions and criteria before exempting an aggregator or a class of aggregators from contributing funds to social security. The draft social security rules offer little clarity about the collection of contribution for the Social Security Fund. While the draft rules say that “the Central Government shall identify the source(s) for initial funding/ replenishing the Social Security Fund from time to time,” the process or criteria for this have not been detailed, the organisation noted. It recommended that a fixed timeline be provided about when the government will set up the National Social Security Board for gig and platform workers. The government in November had invited comments for draft rules for social security benefits for gig, platform workers, under the Code on Social Security, 2020 which was passed in September. The draft rules lay out the formation of a National Social Security Board for Gig Workers and Platform Workers and solidifies the mandatory registration with Aadhaar which it has briefly indicated in the law. The Code on Social Security for the first time recognised the gig economy — gig workers, platform workers, and aggregators — and made space for…
