How Do New Labour Codes Support Gig Workers with 90-Day Employment?
Synopsis
The Ministry of Labour and Employment's new draft rules for labour codes are set to revolutionize gig work in India, providing essential benefits like minimum wage, health coverage, and social security. Stakeholders can contribute feedback before the codes roll out on April 1. This transformative move is aimed at enhancing the rights and protections for gig workers across the nation.
Key Takeaways
Gig workers now eligible for minimum wage and social security.
Eligibility requires 90 days of work with an aggregator.
Appointment letters become mandatory for all workers.
Minimum wages calculated based on daily and hourly rates.
New codes aim to enhance protections for marginalized workers .
New Delhi, Jan 2 (NationPress) The Ministry of Labour and Employment has released draft regulations for the four labour codes, which now include gig workers as beneficiaries of essential services such as minimum wage, health, occupational safety, and social security coverage.
The government is seeking input from stakeholders on these draft regulations and intends to implement the complete suite of four labour codes nationwide starting April 1.
As per the draft regulations, to qualify for benefits, a gig worker must be associated with an aggregator for a minimum of 90 days within a financial year. If the worker collaborates with multiple aggregators, the minimum requirement increases to 120 days.
A notification issued on December 30, 2025, came just before gig and platform workers staged a flash strike demanding increased wages and improved working conditions.
The regulations specify that a worker is considered “engaged” on any given day if they earn income from work performed for an aggregator, regardless of the income amount.
If a worker collaborates with multiple aggregators, the engagement days will be summed across all platforms. If a worker engages with three aggregators on the same day, it counts as three distinct days of engagement.
Regarding the minimum wage, the draft states that once the daily wage is determined, it will be divided by eight to ascertain the hourly wage and multiplied by twenty-six for the monthly wage. For a five-day work week, the calculated hourly minimum wage will set the daily minimum wage.
When establishing minimum wage rates, the Central government will consider factors such as geographical location, experience in the employment sector, and skill level, categorizing workers as unskilled, semiskilled, skilled, or highly skilled.
The four codes — the Code on Wages, 2019; the Industrial Relations Code, 2020; the Code on Social Security, 2020; and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 — were all notified simultaneously.
These Labour Codes require employers to provide appointment letters to all workers, which serve as written documentation to enhance transparency, job security, and stable employment. Previously, appointment letters were not mandatory.
Under the Code on Social Security, 2020, all workers, including gig and platform workers, will receive social security coverage. This includes benefits like PF, ESIC, and insurance — marking a significant expansion from the earlier limited coverage.
According to the Code on Wages, 2019, all workers are entitled to a statutory minimum wage payment, ensuring timely compensation and financial security. Previously, minimum wage laws only covered specific industries, leaving many workers unprotected.
Point of View
I believe that the introduction of new labour codes is a significant step toward ensuring rights and protections for gig workers, who have long been marginalized. This progressive move by the government not only recognizes the necessity of social security for all types of workers but also aims to provide a framework for job security and fair wages. It is crucial that stakeholders engage actively in this process to ensure that the final regulations truly serve the interests of the workforce.
NationPress
17 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the new benefits for gig workers?
The new labour codes provide gig workers with access to minimum wage, health care, occupational safety, and social security benefits.
How long must a gig worker be engaged to qualify for benefits?
A gig worker must be associated with an aggregator for at least 90 days in a financial year to be eligible for social security benefits.
What happens if a worker collaborates with multiple aggregators?
If engaged with multiple aggregators, the worker must accumulate a minimum of 120 days across all aggregators to qualify for benefits.
When will the new labour codes be implemented?
The government aims to roll out the complete package of labour codes nationwide from April 1.
How will minimum wages be calculated?
Minimum wage rates will be determined by dividing the daily wage by eight for hourly rates and multiplying by twenty-six for monthly wages.
