IFAT urges to revise social security draft rules for Gig and Platform workers
HYDERABAD: The Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) has submitted recommendations to the Union Labour Ministry regarding the Draft Rules for the Code on Social Security, 2020, which affect millions of gig and platform workers. These suggestions, sent to Union Minister for Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya, aim to fix important problems and make sure the rules include and protect workers’ rights.
While IFAT welcomes the draft rules published on December 30, 2025, as an important step forward, it is worried that some parts of the rules might accidentally leave out vulnerable workers from getting benefits. Shaik Salauddin, Co-Founder and National General Secretary of IFAT, sent these suggestions for gig workers across the country, with help from labour experts and civil society groups.
IFAT’s main concerns focus on eligibility, accountability, and age limits. The federation strongly opposes Clause 49 (2) (e), which requires workers to be engaged for at least 90 days with a single aggregator or 120 days with multiple aggregators in the previous financial year to qualify for benefits. IFAT argues this does not reflect the precarious nature of platform work. “Platform work is extremely precarious, and adverse events such as accidents may happen at any time,” IFAT stated, urging the ministry to remove this eligibility requirement so workers are covered from day one.
About responsibility, Clause 49 (2) (h) says workers might lose their benefits if their information is not updated. IFAT suggests removing or changing this rule so that companies are held responsible instead. If a worker misses out on benefits because their information is old, IFAT says the company should pay for the social security plans. Also, workers should be told about their information status and have a good way to complain if there are problems.
Another key recommendation is to remove the 60-year age cap for benefits outlined in Clause 50 (4). IFAT notes that, unlike formal employment, platform work does not have a mandatory retirement age. Imposing this limit would unfairly deny social security to older workers who remain active and rely on gig work for their livelihood.
Along with these main requests, IFAT also wants meeting notes to be written in local languages, for both location-based and remote platform workers to have a say on the National Social Security Board, and for clear rules on how to run programs for women and the third gender.
To make sure the final rules match real-life situations, IFAT asks the Ministry to hold a national meeting with everyone involved. This meeting would bring together trade unions, gig workers, companies, and government groups to talk about the rules and create a fair system.
Shaik Salauddin, who is also the Founder President of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers’ Union (TGPWU), emphasized the historic nature of this moment. “The social security framework for gig and platform workers must be worker-centric and based on principles of equity, inclusion, and shared responsibility,” Salauddin said. “These rules represent a historic opportunity to build a comprehensive social protection system for millions of workers in India’s fast-growing digital economy. We are committed to constructive dialogue to ensure the Code becomes a meaningful and effective framework for our welfare.”
IFAT has again said it is ready to work with the government to improve the draft rules, making sure the final rules give strong and easy-to-get social security for all gig and platform workers across the country.
