Centre Faces Criticism Over RSS-Linked Unions Domination on New Gig Workers Welfare Board

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has formed a 40-member National Social Security Board for unorganised, gig, and platform workers. Appointed for a three-term period, the board will design and monitor welfare schemes to bridge the social security gap for these workers.

Board Composition

The newly formed board is dominated by unions linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, including the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh and Laghu Udyog Bharati, which hold six seats. The total body includes seven union representatives and seven employer representatives, with the rest coming from government departments and parliament. State representatives on the board are drawn only from BJP-ruled states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and West Bengal.

Criticisms and Reactions

Most of the 12 government-recognised labour unions, such as the Centre of Indian Trade Unions and the All India Trade Union Congress, have no representation on the board. Centre of Indian Trade Unions National President Sudip Dutta stated that the government is breaking norms by ignoring the established process of choosing representatives through a referendum. All India Trade Union Congress leader Amarjeet Kaur claimed the government only picked favourites and previously excluded most recognised unions during the formation of a minimum wages code. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh Vice President Pawan Kumar said his union had sent names as requested and wants the board to meet quickly to discuss worker welfare.

Context

According to NITI Aayog, India's gig and platform workforce is projected to reach 2.35 crore workers by the year 2029 to 2030. These workers currently operate largely as independent contractors with limited formal benefits despite putting in long hours. Statutory boards like this one are intended to help bring digital and unorganised workers into a formal welfare framework.