• Source:JND

Budget 2025 Announcement For Gig Workers: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced in her budget speech that India's gig workers will get identity cards and health insurance under the government's Jan Arogya Yojana. The Finance Minister said that gig workers will provide great mobility in the new age economy. She announced that the government will provide identity cards to gig workers and provide registration on the e-Shram portal. They will get healthcare under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and these measures will help over 1 crore gig workers across the country.

The government's move will help workers who work in agile businesses, driving bicycles and cabs and other delivery-related jobs. The country has seen huge job opportunities in the last 10 years, as companies like Zomato-owned Blinkit, Zepto and Swiggy Instamart have employed thousands of gig workers to run dark stores and deliver.

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Who Are Gig Workers?

People employed in short-term, flexible and temporary jobs are called 'gig workers'. India has seen a rapid rise in the numbers of gig workers, which include independent contractors, cab drivers, online delivery agents, contract firm workers and on-call workers. With the healthcare benefits, the Union Budget 2025 recognised the growing population of such freelance workers in order to ensure universal health coverage under National Health Policy 2017.

Gig Workers Recognised Under Code on Social Security 2020

The Code on Social Security 2020, enacted by Parliament, was the first to identify and define gig workers and platform workers while outlining provisions for their social security and welfare. The Code includes life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, old age protection, among others.

What Is AB-PMJAY?

The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is a health insurance initiative by the Central government, launched in September 2018. The scheme is meant to provide health cover to citizens. Those eligible under the scheme can avail free treatment for up to Rs 5 lakh per year. The scheme is managed by the National Health Authority (NHA) and offers immediate benefits with no waiting period, including coverage for pre-existing conditions. 

Gig Workers Welcome Budget 2025 Announcement

Welcoming the announcement of a social security scheme for gig workers in the union budget, the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union on Saturday urged the government and aggregator companies to ensure that gig workers' data reaches the government soon so that they can avail of the scheme.

(With PTI inputs)


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