Fundamental rights of gig workers not violated: Govt

The Union government told the Supreme Court that gig workers and app-based service providers have not had their fundamental rights violated, citing the e-Shram portal that enables unorganised sector workers to access various welfare schemes under statutory provisions.

- Abraham Thomas

The Centre's response came three years after the court issued notice on a public interest litigation filed by the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) seeking social security measures. The government emphasised that the 2020 Code on Social Security, which includes specific provisions for unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers, will be implemented through an official notification, though no timeline was specified. While the Code received Presidential assent in September 2020, it has remained inoperative due to lack of notification.

Last month, the Supreme Court told the Centre that labour and social security rights for gig workers and app-based service providers cannot be denied if a statutory regime provides for such protections. The Centre was directed to file a response by December 17 ahead of the January hearing.