SOCIAL SECURITY RIGHTS OF GIG WORKERS IN INDIA: MYTH OR REALITY?

AUTHOR – DHANA LAKSHMI. K, STUDENT AT SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE IN LAW, THE TAMIL NADU DR AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSITY

BEST CITATION – DHANA LAKSHMI. K, SOCIAL SECURITY RIGHTS OF GIG WORKERS IN INDIA: MYTH OR REALITY?, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (5) OF 2026, PG. 678-684, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

ABSTRACT

In today’s India, the gig economy has become a common part of everyday life. From booking a ride to ordering food, gig workers play a crucial role in making services faster and more accessible. For many individuals, this kind of work provides flexibility and a way to earn a livelihood without being tied to a fixed schedule. But at the same time, it also raises an important concern—are these workers actually protected when things go wrong?

Most gig workers do not enjoy the kind of security that traditional employees receive. There is no guaranteed income, no paid leave, and often no support in cases of illness, accidents, or old age. Although the Code on Social Security, 2020 has recognised gig and platform workers and introduced the idea of welfare schemes for them, the real question is whether these benefits are truly reaching the people who need them.

This paper looks at the issue through the lens of “myth or reality.” It tries to understand whether social security for gig workers exists only in laws and policies, or whether it is something that workers can actually depend on in their daily lives. By examining both the legal framework and the real experiences of workers, the study brings out the gap between what is promised and what is delivered.

In the end, the paper suggests that social security for gig workers in India is neither completely a myth nor fully a reality. It is still developing, with laws in place but implementation lagging behind. Bridging this gap is essential to ensure that the people who support the gig economy are also supported in return.