India notifies social security boards for informal workers

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has notified the constitution of two National Social Security Boards, covering unorganised workers and gig and platform workers, under the Code on Social Security. The boards are tasked with recommending welfare schemes for different categories of workers, advising the Union government on the administration of the Code and monitoring central social welfare schemes. They will also review state-level recordkeeping and expenditure from the relevant fund and account, according to the ministry’s announcement. Their membership is to include representatives of the Central and state governments, aggregator companies, employers, civil society organisations, workers’ unions and associations of gig and platform workers. The boards are required to meet at least three times a year, with rules for conducting meetings prescribed by the Central government. The announcement establishes the boards and sets out their responsibilities, but does not identify any specific welfare schemes approved for delivery or provide a timetable for benefits. Their stated role is to recommend and monitor measures, rather than to announce particular benefits for workers. Gig...