India, Feb. 1 -- In a significant move aimed at bolstering the gig economy, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a comprehensive social security scheme for gig workers in her Budget 2025 speech.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, is expected to benefit nearly 1 Cr gig workers by providing essential health insurance, as well as death and disability cover, potentially rolling out from the next financial year.

To further strengthen the welfare framework for gig workers, the government is prioritising their formal registration through ID cards and enrollment on the e-Shram portal. Under this initiative, gig workers will gain access to healthcare benefits through the PM Jan Arogya Yojana, ensuring ...