The government's directive for all digital platform aggregators to upload gig worker details and complete eShram portal integration by June 21 is encountering significant implementation delays. According to Business Standard, the Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers (IFAT) has flagged non-compliance by aggregator firms as a major concern. As per The Times of India, this directive affects major platforms including Swiggy, Zomato, Uber, Blinkit, Ola, Rapido and Zepto. The move is part of a broader initiative to ensure social security benefits for gig workers across India, but current delays are preventing workers from accessing legally mandated protections.
The directive follows rules formulated under the Code on Social Security last month, which mandates compulsory registration within 45 days. As reported by The Times of India, the ministry warned that missing the deadline will trigger strict penal action under the Social Security Code. However, Business Standard reports that several aggregator companies have not yet complied with these requirements despite repeated directions from the Union labour ministry. The government emphasized that timely adherence to the timeline will facilitate effective implementation of the mandated social security framework, but current delays are undermining this objective.
The move will help government design and implement social security schemes, including health and life insurance, pension plans, and create a national ID system. According to The Times of India, this national ID will enable easy mobility and formalize the unorganized nature of work. As per Business Standard, the Code on Social Security, 2020 formally recognises gig and platform workers and empowers the Centre under Section 114(1) to frame social security schemes covering health insurance, accident cover, pensions and maternity benefits, funded through government and aggregator contributions. The Social Security Rules, 2026, notified on May 8, 2026, require aggregators under Rule 48(2) to submit gig worker data via APIs or electronic modes to a central portal within 45 days, with the data intended to support the proposed National Welfare Board.
The newly-enforced rules define gig and platform workers as someone who works at least 90 days a year with an aggregator, or 120 days in case of multiple aggregators. As reported by The Times of India, the rules also mandate that aggregators register all new appointments and exits on a real-time or daily basis on the central government portal. Business Standard reports that IFAT has stressed that compliance is not optional but a legal obligation under the Code, calling for strict enforcement action against companies that fail to meet deadlines. The federation has urged the Central Government to ensure accountability among platform companies so that the National Welfare Board can be operationalised without further delay.
IFAT co-founder and national general secretary Shaik Salauddin has criticized the lack of seriousness shown by several aggregators in complying with government directives. According to Business Standard, Salauddin stated that despite multiple instructions and directions from the Ministry of Labour and Employment, several aggregators are still not taking this matter seriously. The federation has argued that gig and platform workers cannot be left waiting indefinitely for basic safeguards such as health insurance, accident compensation, pension coverage and maternity support. IFAT has called for the Central Government to ensure accountability among platform companies so that the National Welfare Board can be operationalised without further delay, emphasizing that social security benefits must reach workers in a time-bound manner.
