The 90-Day Hurdle: Why India's Gig Workers Are Still Waiting for a Safety Net

Ever ordered food late at night or had groceries magically appear at your doorstep? Chances are, a gig worker made that happen. These tireless individuals, the backbone of India's booming gig economy, keep our cities running, delivering everything from parcels to passengers. But here's the thing: while their services are indispensable, their own financial security often hangs by a thread. We're talking about millions of people who, despite contributing so much, often lack the basic social safety nets that many traditional employees take for granted.

It's a tricky situation, and at the heart of it lies a particular provision within the Code on Social Security, 2020 – often dubbed the '90-day rule.' On paper, this code was a landmark step, aiming to extend social security benefits to gig workers, among others. Sounds great, right? The intention was certainly noble. But the execution, well, that's where the real-world complexities bite. This rule essentially states that a gig worker needs to complete at least 90 days of work with a single platform to become eligible for certain benefits. And that, my friends, is proving to be a colossal roadblock for countless individuals.

Think about it. The very nature of gig work is flexibility, autonomy, and often, multi-homing. A delivery partner might work for Zomato in the morning, switch to Swiggy in the afternoon, and maybe even take a few ride-sharing gigs in between. They might take a break for personal reasons, fall ill, or simply chase better incentives offered by a rival app. Consistency with one platform for a full 90 days, without a significant pause or a shift to another, is a luxury many simply cannot afford or achieve. It's like asking a freelancer to be a full-time employee for three months straight, just to qualify for health insurance, when their entire business model is built on diverse engagements.

This isn't just an administrative snag; it has very real, very human consequences. Without access to things like accident insurance, provident funds, or even basic health coverage, gig workers and their families are left incredibly vulnerable. A minor injury on the job could mean a devastating loss of income, pushing them further into precarity. It's a silent crisis unfolding across our cities, hidden behind the convenience these services provide.

Now, it seems the Centre – the government – is keenly aware of this gaping hole. There's a lot of chatter about finding a workaround, perhaps by creating a centralized registry for all gig workers. Imagine a single database where all their work, across various platforms, is logged. This could potentially allow their total workdays to accumulate, making them eligible for benefits, regardless of how many apps they juggle. It’s an interesting idea, but certainly not without its own set of technological and logistical challenges.

Then there's the age-old debate: are gig workers 'employees' or 'independent contractors'? This distinction is crucial, as it fundamentally dictates what rights and benefits they're entitled to. Platforms generally prefer the 'independent contractor' label, as it absolves them of many employer responsibilities. Workers, on the other hand, often feel like employees, subject to performance metrics and platform algorithms, yet without the accompanying protections. It’s a legal and ethical tightrope walk that governments worldwide are grappling with.

Ultimately, the goal is clear: build a social security framework that truly works for the unique dynamics of the gig economy, not against it. It needs to be inclusive, easy to access, and robust enough to provide a genuine safety net. The conversations are ongoing, the ideas are being floated, and we can only hope that practical, compassionate solutions emerge soon. Because when we support the people who power our daily lives, we strengthen the entire economy, and indeed, society itself. It’s high time we ensured those hustling on the streets have a secure foundation beneath their feet.