New Delhi: The government is considering a levy of 2% per transaction, instead of on total turnover, on aggregators to fund social security benefits for more than 12 million gig and platform workers. The National Social Security Board, set up last week to finalise the scheme and oversee its implementation, will meet in the second half of this month to take a final call on the contours of the scheme. An industry expert who is part of the deliberations said the government wants to ensure that one segment of aggregators does not subsidise another; hence the inclination to make it transaction-based rather than turnover-based. "There is a near consensus that charges should be levied only on the gig revenue attributable directly to the business," another expert said. A senior government official said that the scheme is almost ready and could be introduced in 2027, reflecting a keen focus on extending social security cover to gig and platform workers at the earliest. The scheme will be funded entirely by the aggregators through the Social Security Fund.
To Be Delivered:-
Gig workers' scheme
Scheme to be approved by National Social Security Board soon.
Estimated 12 million gig workers to be eligible for benefits.
Number of gig workers estimated to reach 23.5 million by 2029–30.
Their contribution to GDP seen at ₹2.35 lakh crore.
Scheme to be funded by aggregators via Social Security Fund.
Shift to transaction-based levy on aggregators follows industry representations.
Key Benefits:-
Life and disability insurance
Accident insurance
Health and maternity benefits
The Economic Times
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