Govt plans to roll out welfare measures for gig workers ahead of elections

India plans to roll out welfare measures for “gig” workers employed through platforms like Amazon, Uber and India’s Zomato as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government prepares for elections, government and trade union officials said.

The plan, part of the Social Security Code enacted in 2020, could include accident, health insurance and retirement benefits, said a senior government official with direct knowledge of the plan.

Ahead of the elections early next year, Modi’s party is eager to announce steps after the northern state of Rajasthan, ruled by opposition Congress party, approved setting up a fund through a surcharge on sales at platforms.