ANALYSIS ON THE SAFETY AND HEALTH PROTECTIONS FOR GIG AND PLATFORM WORKERS UNDER THE NEW LABOUR CODES

AUTHOR – A.H.HAROON NADHEEM, STUDENT AT SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE IN LAW, THE TAMIL NADU DR AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSITY

BEST CITATION – A.H.HAROON NADHEEM, ANALYSIS ON THE SAFETY AND HEALTH PROTECTIONS FOR GIG AND PLATFORM WORKERS UNDER THE NEW LABOUR CODES, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (5) OF 2026, PG. 650-655, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

Abstract:

The swift expansion of gig and platform-based employment in India has generated unique opportunities for flexible job arrangements but has also subjected workers to increased risks related to occupational safety and health. Conventional labor laws frequently overlook the vulnerabilities faced by this workforce, which encompasses delivery workers, ride-share drivers, and freelance digital service providers. The introduction of the Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code, 2020, as part of India’s new labor regulations, represents a significant advancement toward including gig workers within the formal safety and welfare framework. This article analyzes the extent and effectiveness of these provisions in safeguarding gig workers against occupational dangers, ensuring their access to health services, accident compensation, and welfare initiatives. It assesses enforcement issues seriously, such as the informal character of platform work, the absence of employer accountability, and the limitations of digital surveillance. The paper emphasizes the necessity for flexible regulatory tools that strike a balance between worker protection and flexibility by analyzing case studies, government notifications, and comparative international practices. In order to protect the health and welfare of gig and platform workers in India’s developing digital economy, the essay finds that bolstering regulatory control, requiring platform responsibility, and expanding social security benefits are crucial.

Keywords: Gig economy, platform workers, occupational safety and health, occupational safety health and working condition code 2020, labour law, india, worker protection, social security, digital employment, workplace welfare.