The Maharashtra government is set to introduce a social security framework for over five lakh gig workers across more than 320 e-commerce, aggregator, and service platforms. A draft bill prepared by the Labour Department proposes a cess on companies, linked to their tax and GST payments, to create a welfare fund. The fund will support health insurance, life cover, fixed income, and educational benefits for workers and their families.

This initiative aligns with the Social Security Code, 2020. A similar model is already in place for construction workers, where a 1 percent cess on project costs generates over 100 crore rupees annually. Maharashtra Labour Minister Akash Fundkar said the Centre approved the state’s proposal. The final bill will be tabled in the winter session of 2025 after consultations with stakeholders. A mandatory registration drive will help build a comprehensive database of gig workers.