Government plans to give leave, insurance, pension to gig workers doing retail work: Policy Commission makes these recommendations

- In the next eight to nine years, 4.1 per cent of the total employment created in the country will be for such temporary workers.

New delhi date. Tuesday, June 28, 2022

The government has turned its attention to delivery boys, platform workers or other retail workers working temporarily in the country's service sector. The report, prepared by the policy commission, suggested to the government that all types of gig workers should be provided with social security such as paid leave, sick leave, insurance, benefits even after retirement.

Policy Commission Report on Status of Temporary Workers in the Service Sector

- The Policy Commission has recommended to provide facilities to the workers like paid leave, sick leave, insurance, benefits even after retirement.

- If these recommendations are implemented, the impact of the service sector will change.

- In the next eight to nine years, 4.1 per cent of the total employment generated in the country will be for such temporary workers.

The service sector is growing rapidly in the world

According to the report, the number of gig workers is increasing in view of the changes taking place in the economy around the world. The number of gig workers will also increase rapidly here as the service sector is growing rapidly in India as well.

Gig Workers Statistics

- 26.6 lakh in retail and sales sector

- 13 lakh in the transport sector

- 6.2 lakh in the manufacturing sector

- By the year 2030, 23 million people will work as gig workers

Other reasons for the growth of the service sector in India

Due to the large population of the youth in India, a large section of the population will find employment in this sector. The increase in the number of smart phones as well as the rapid urbanization will increase the temporary employment opportunities.

The need for protection of gig workers

In recent years, companies like Flipkart, Urban Company, Ola, Uber, Delivery, Swiggy, Zomato, Dunzo, Big Basket have rapidly made their place in the Indian economy. Given this, the importance of protecting gig workers working in it has been linked to the economy.

Insurance arrangements in case of accident

The policy commission has recommended benefits to these workers, including paid leave, leave in case of illness, insurance, health benefits. Apart from this, there should be a separate insurance system in case of business hazards and accidents while working. In the case of companies offering bike rentals or rides, the practice of depositing a small portion of the charges received from each customer into the accident insurance fund could be introduced, which would benefit a large number of people working in the field.

Ways of financial help will open up

These funds can be used to provide financial assistance in the event of a disaster. Citing an example from last year's British Supreme Court ruling on app-based taxi service companies, he said Uber drivers were beginning to receive a range of social security benefits.

Recommended to provide special loan facility

The report also lists people doing platform jobs in a new type of economy as girg workers. It is recommended that they be given special loans or that they be allowed to work on a large scale by the government. This can help create a large market for local food items or other local products. The current trend is that the number of highly trained and under-trained gig workers is increasing but at the middle level their number is declining.

Find out who the Gig Workers are

Gig workers are a class of workers who do not fall into the category of ordinary employed workers. They work independently on contract. Usually this class works to deliver the services and products of the service companies to the customer or help a certain amount of time to prepare the product. There are many companies that run because of these workers. The duration of their work is not fixed. Often the workers working in this sector also do other work for income and do part time job here.