EXAMINING THE LEGAL LACUNAE IN LABOUR LEGISLATION: A STUDY ON SOCIAL SECURITY PROTECTION FOR UNORGANISED WORKERS IN INDIA

AUTHOR – KIRUBA KARAN K* & LAXMI PRIYA M**

* STUDENT AT VELS INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & ADVANCED STUDIES (VISTAS)

** ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT SCHOOL OF LAW, VELS INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ADVANCED STUDIES (VISTAS)

BEST CITATION – KIRUBA KARAN K & LAXMI PRIYA M, EXAMINING THE LEGAL LACUNAE IN LABOUR LEGISLATION: A STUDY ON SOCIAL SECURITY PROTECTION FOR UNORGANISED WORKERS IN INDIA, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (7) OF 2026, PG. 606-610, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344. DOI – https://doi.org/10.65393/IJLRV6I769

INTRODUCTION

The unorganized sector is where most people in India work. There are no spoken contracts, no job security, and pay that is not always regular. The organized sector has protections in place through labour laws and other institutional processes. Still, unorganized workers are not mainly covered by formal social security systems.

Laws do not generally cover the working conditions of unorganized workers; rather, they are defended by informal agreements. These workers include agricultural labourers, construction workers, domestic workers, road merchandisers, and gig workers, who contribute significantly to the economy but remain socially and economically marginalised.

In recent times, like similar as migration, profitable instability, and the rise of informal and gig- based employment have further boosted the need for a robust social security frame. Although legislative measures similar as the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008 and the law on Social Security, 2020 have been introduced, their performance remains limited and largely scheme- based rather than rights- driven.

This study seeks to examine the legal frame governing social security for unorganised workers in India, identify gaps in legislation and perpetration, and estimate the effectiveness of being weal mechanisms.