Employees Pension: The government is going to give the benefit of pension to gig workers under social security. Work is being done to bring such employees under the purview of EPFO’s Employee Pension Scheme (EPS). In the first year itself, about one to one and a quarter crore employees across the country will get the benefit of pension scheme.
Employees Pension: The central government is going to give the benefit of pension under social security to the employees of the unorganized sector (gig workers) providing service by joining with e-commerce companies. For this, work is being done to bring such employees under the purview of EPFO’s Employee Pension Scheme (EPS). In this regard, a proposal is being prepared to be presented soon for the approval of the Cabinet. After getting the approval, about one to one and a quarter crore employees across the country will get the benefit of pension scheme in the first year itself.
Employee’s money will not be deducted
Sources say that there will be no additional financial burden on the gig worker to join the pension scheme. That is, no money will be deducted from their salary for this. Under the Social Security Code -2020, pension-related contributions will be taken from companies providing goods and services through online platforms under the Corporate Social Responsibility Fund.
The Social Security Code clearly states that corporates and companies will have to contribute one to two percent for the social security of their employees, which will be used to secure the future of the employees and for their social welfare.
The committee has recommended
On this issue, the committee constituted by the Ministry of Labor and Employment has recommended giving the benefit of pension scheme to gig workers. Earlier, several rounds of talks have been held by the committee with gig workers, representatives of e-commerce companies and subject experts.
Now the ministry is working towards implementing it soon. While giving the benefit of pension scheme, many types of options will also be given to secure their future.
Employees will get such benefits
If a person is initially doing gig work, but after some time he works in the government or organized sector, then the amount deposited in the pension will be transferred to the new PF account.
There will be an option to start pension after retirement. If a person wants that the pension should be given from the age of 65 years and not 58, then that option will also be given.
There will be an option to choose a nominee for withdrawal of money deposited in the pension fund after accidental death and to give the benefit of pension to another member of the family.
Health facility was also announced in the budget
In the general budget for the financial year 2025-26, the central government has announced to provide health coverage under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana to one crore gig workers registered on the e-shram portal. Now the government is going to give them the benefit of pension scheme as well with the aim of securing their future under social security.
This time a record Rs 32,646 crore has been allocated for the Ministry of Labor and Employment, which is the highest ever and about 80 percent more than the revised estimates of last year. Along with this, workers in the unorganized sector will be able to get facilities like health insurance, accident insurance and fund to secure the future.
Who are gig workers? Employees who work as cab drivers, delivery boys or do other similar jobs by joining online apps or e-commerce companies are called gig workers. They are completely temporary. At present, their number is more than one crore, which is expected to increase to around 2.35 crore by the year 2029-30.
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