India's Social Security Code Extends Benefits to Gig and Platform Workers

Answer: A

Statement 1 is correct: The Code on Social Security, 2020, consolidates nine central labour laws related to social security, including the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948, and the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. Statement 2 is correct: The Code is indeed a landmark step for explicitly including 'gig workers' and 'platform workers' for the first time, defining them and outlining provisions for their social security. Statement 3 is correct: The Code mandates that aggregators, who are entities facilitating services by gig/platform workers, contribute to a social security fund for these workers. Statement 4 is incorrect: While the Code aims for wider coverage and includes the unorganised sector, it does not establish a 'single national fund' for universal coverage of all workers. Instead, it provides for separate schemes and funds for different categories of workers (e.g., EPF, ESI, and a separate fund for gig/platform workers). The goal is universalization, but the mechanism isn't a single fund for all.

Answer: B

The Code on Social Security, 2020, defines a 'gig worker' as a person who performs work or participates in a work arrangement and earns from such activities outside of a traditional employer-employee relationship. This definition specifically captures the essence of the gig economy where individuals work on a task-by-task basis, often through digital platforms, without the formal benefits and protections of regular employment. Option A describes a general unorganised sector worker. Option C describes a contract worker. Option D describes a traditional self-employed person, which might overlap but the 'gig worker' definition specifically emphasizes the non-traditional employer-employee relationship.

Answer: B

Statement 1 is incorrect: Article 44 (Uniform Civil Code) is a DPSP but not directly related to social security and welfare for workers. Statement 2 is correct: Article 41 states that the State shall, within the limits of its economic capacity and development, make effective provision for securing the right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement, and in other cases of undeserved want. Statement 3 is correct: Article 42 states that the State shall make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief. Statement 4 is correct: Article 43 states that the State shall endeavour to secure, by suitable legislation or economic organisation or in any other way, to all workers, agricultural, industrial or otherwise, work, a living wage, conditions of work ensuring a decent standard of life and full enjoyment of leisure and social and cultural opportunities and, in particular, the State shall endeavour to promote cottage industries on an individual or co-operative basis in rural areas. Therefore, statements 2, 3, and 4 are directly related to social security and welfare for workers.

Answer: C

Option A is correct: A primary objective of the Code is indeed to consolidate and simplify the previously fragmented social security laws. Option B is correct: Extending benefits to gig and platform workers is a landmark feature and a core objective of the Code. Option C is incorrect: While universal basic income (UBI) is a concept debated for poverty alleviation, the Code on Social Security, 2020, does not aim to establish a universal basic income scheme. Its focus is on providing specific social security benefits (like provident fund, ESI, gratuity, maternity benefit, etc.) to workers, not a general income support for all citizens below the poverty line. Option D is correct: The Code aims to improve the portability of social security benefits, especially for migrant workers, by creating a national database and facilitating inter-state transfers.