The Assam Legislative Assembly on Friday rejected a resolution calling for a dedicated social security framework for gig and platform workers in the state, with Cabinet Minister Rameswar Teli asserting that such welfare schemes primarily fall under the Central government’s jurisdiction. The proposal, moved by Congress MLA Zubair Anam Mazumder, aimed to address the growing concerns regarding the welfare and protection of individuals engaged in the burgeoning gig economy across Assam.

The decision leaves thousands of gig and platform workers in Assam without a state-specific social security net, deferring their welfare to national policies and ongoing central government initiatives. This development underscores a broader debate on jurisdictional responsibilities and the urgent need for comprehensive protections for a workforce segment often characterised by precarious employment conditions and a lack of traditional benefits.

What was announced

During the Assembly session on Friday, July 25, 2026, Congress MLA Zubair Anam Mazumder introduced a private member’s resolution advocating for the establishment of a comprehensive social security framework tailored for gig and platform workers in Assam. The resolution sought to provide legal and institutional safeguards for individuals involved in app-based services such as transport, food delivery, e-commerce, and logistics.

In response to the resolution, Cabinet Minister Rameswar Teli, who also holds the Labour Welfare portfolio, stated that the responsibility for formulating and implementing welfare schemes for gig and platform workers largely rests with the Central government. He further indicated that issues concerning their social security and overall welfare are currently being addressed at the national level, suggesting ongoing efforts to integrate these workers into broader social protection initiatives. Following Minister Teli’s reply, the House subsequently defeated the resolution.

Why it matters

The rejection of a state-level welfare mechanism is significant for Assam’s rapidly expanding gig economy. This sector, encompassing ride-sharing, food delivery, and e-commerce logistics, has seen a substantial increase in participation, particularly among the youth in urban centres like Guwahati. However, these workers often operate without fundamental protections such as fixed salaries, provident fund benefits, paid leave, or any assured social security, making them vulnerable to economic instability and health risks.

Congress MLA Mazumder highlighted the critical role these workers play in Assam’s expanding digital economy, describing them as a “parallel economy” that remains largely unrecognised. He pointed out that their work conditions are often dictated by algorithms, and they lack effective grievance redressal mechanisms. Mazumder also drew attention to instances of discrimination, such as delivery personnel being denied access to lifts in residential apartments while pets are allowed.

The absence of a dedicated state framework means that gig workers in Assam must rely on central government policies, which are still in various stages of implementation. This situation creates uncertainty regarding the immediate and specific protections available to them, especially given that localised challenges related to digital infrastructure and awareness persist in the state.

Background

The gig economy has witnessed transformative growth across India, offering flexible employment and income diversification. However, this growth has also brought to the forefront the precarious nature of gig work, which often falls outside traditional employer-employee relationships and thus lacks conventional labour protections.

Recognising this, the Central government enacted the Code on Social Security, 2020, which came into effect from November 21, 2025. This landmark legislation, for the first time, formally defines gig workers and platform workers and aims to extend social security coverage to them. The Code mandates the establishment of a Social Security Fund for these workers, with aggregators (such as ride-sharing and food delivery companies) required to contribute between one percent and two percent of their annual turnover to this fund.

The Code envisions benefits such as life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, and old-age protection for registered gig and platform workers. To access these benefits, workers are required to register on the e-Shram portal, a national database for unorganised workers. As of November 2025, over 5.09 lakh gig and platform workers had registered on this portal nationwide.

Several Indian states have already taken proactive steps to establish their own welfare mechanisms for gig workers. Rajasthan became the first state to pass a law regulating gig workers, while Karnataka, Telangana, and Bihar have also constituted welfare boards or drafted legislation to safeguard their interests.

In Assam, the gig sector is still in a formative stage, with participation largely concentrated in urban centres. Reports indicate that rural areas face exclusion due to inadequate digital infrastructure and low digital literacy. The sustainability of Assam’s gig economy hinges on strengthening social security protection, which currently faces challenges including low registration rates on the e-Shram portal, reflecting a lack of awareness among workers.

According to a 2022-23 PLFS data analysis, Assam ranks seventh among Indian states in the proportion of gig workers. The services sector in Assam employed approximately 5.1 million workers in 2023-24, accounting for 30.1 percent of the state’s workforce, highlighting the significant, albeit often informal, contribution of this segment to the state’s economy.

Key details

The resolution, moved by Congress MLA Zubair Anam Mazumder, specifically called for a state-level social security framework for gig and platform workers. This framework would have aimed to provide benefits such as provident funds, paid leave, and grievance redressal mechanisms, which are currently largely absent for these workers in Assam.

Minister Rameswar Teli’s response clarified the state government’s position, emphasising that the Centre is the appropriate authority for such legislation. He referred to the Union government’s ongoing labour law reforms and the new labour codes, which are intended to strengthen the legal framework for the unorganised sector, including gig workers.

The rejection means that while the Central government’s Code on Social Security, 2020, formally recognises gig workers and provides for a social security fund, the implementation of specific welfare schemes and the establishment of state-level boards will depend on central notifications and, potentially, further state-level initiatives aligned with central directives.

What’s next

With the Assam Legislative Assembly deferring responsibility to the Central government, the future of a state-specific welfare mechanism for gig workers in Assam remains uncertain. The focus now shifts to the implementation and effectiveness of the Central government’s Code on Social Security, 2020, and the schemes to be notified under it.

Stakeholders, including gig worker unions and advocacy groups, will likely continue to monitor the progress of central government initiatives and potentially press for more robust and localised implementation of social security measures. The Ministry of Labour & Employment has already engaged in discussions with various stakeholders to develop a comprehensive social security system for gig and platform workers, as mandated by the Code.

The efficacy of these central provisions in addressing the unique challenges faced by gig workers in a state like Assam, particularly concerning digital access and awareness in rural areas, will be a critical area of observation.

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