Survey of 1,000 platform workers finds high risks, little insurance
Where it stands
Janpahal and the Gig Workers Association (GigWA) released a survey report on 3 September 2026. Janpahal shared initial findings from the same survey in February 2026. The report's title is Occupational Safety and Health of Platform-Based Gig Workers in India. Janpahal surveyed 1,000 platform workers in 10 cities. In the survey, 778 workers reported working in extreme weather. Of these workers, 96.57 per cent said heat hurt their ability to work. In all, 62.2 per cent of respondents had no health insurance. Half of the respondents were not registered on the e-Shram portal. More than 57 per cent worked over 49 hours a week. The report asks the government to treat heat as an occupational hazard.
Background
The Code on Social Security, 2020 defines gig workers and platform workers. The Code came into force on 21 November 2025. The Code lets the Centre frame schemes for accident insurance, health and maternity benefits and old age protection. Aggregators must pay 1 to 2 per cent of annual turnover into a Social Security Fund. NITI Aayog counted 77 lakh gig workers in 2020-21. NITI Aayog expects 2.35 crore by 2029-30. Rajasthan passed the first state law for platform workers in 2023. Karnataka passed a state law in 2025. Budget 2025-26 promised gig workers e-Shram registration, identity cards and health cover under PM-JAY.
How it developed
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3 September 2026How it started
Janpahal and GigWA release a safety survey of platform workers
Janpahal is a labour rights organisation. Janpahal works with street vendors, gig workers and migrant workers in Delhi. The Gig Workers Association (GigWA) organises platform workers in more than 35 cities. Janpahal surveyed 1,000 platform workers across 10 cities. The Wire reported initial findings from the survey on 4 February 2026. The full report came out on 3 September 2026.
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3 September 2026New fact
Heat affected the work of 96.57 per cent of workers in extreme weather
Health insurance was missing for 62.2 per cent of respondents. Accident insurance was missing for 44.2 per cent. Platforms gave no safety training to 59.3 per cent of respondents. Among workers who reported safety incidents, 62.2 per cent had a near-miss with a vehicle. Half of the respondents were not registered on e-Shram. The Labour Ministry counted only 5.09 lakh gig and platform workers on e-Shram in November 2025.
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3 September 2026Settled
Report released. Central law in force since 21 November 2025.
The report was released on 3 September 2026. The Code on Social Security, 2020 has been in force since 21 November 2025. Section 114 lets the Centre notify gig worker schemes for accident insurance, health and maternity benefits and old age protection. The Centre notified the Social Security (Central) Rules, 2026 on 8 May 2026. The Labour Ministry asked all aggregators to join e-Shram by 21 June 2026. On 29 January 2026 the ministry told Rajya Sabha that e-Shram data was now linked with PM-JAY.
Why it matters for UPSC
For GS2 and GS3, treat this survey as evidence, not as law or official data. Janpahal and GigWA are private bodies. The sample is 1,000 workers in 10 cities. The Code on Social Security, 2020 is the law. The Code promises gig workers schemes for accident insurance, health and maternity benefits and old age protection. The Code defines gig work as work outside the employer-employee relationship. A scheme exists only after the Centre notifies the scheme.
Key terms
Sources (6)
- Business Standard · Platform workers face high occupational risks, limited protection: Survey (3 September 2026)3 Sep, 9:30 pm
- The Wire · More Than 20% Gig Workers Work 70+ Hours Per Week: Report (4 February 2026)3 Sep, 9:30 pm
- Press Information Bureau · official · Welfare Schemes for Gig Economy Workers: over 5 lakh gig and platform workers registered on e-Shram (1 December 2025)3 Sep, 9:30 pm
- Press Information Bureau · official · Social Security for Gig and Platform Workers, Rajya Sabha written reply (29 January 2026)3 Sep, 9:30 pm
- The Tribune · 12 lakh gig workers, 20 aggregators registered on e-Shram portal so far: Labour ministry (29 June 2026)3 Sep, 9:30 pm
- Ministry of Labour and Employment · official · The Code on Social Security, 2020 (Act No. 36 of 2020), Gazette of India text: sections 2, 114 and 1413 Sep, 9:30 pm