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AAP MP Raghav Chadha praised the Centre for draft Social Security Rules, 2025, granting gig workers legal recognition, protection, and benefits.
AAP MP Raghav Chadha speaking in Rajya Sabha. (Image: PTI/File photo)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Sunday praised the Centre for releasing the draft Social Security Rules for gig workers under the new labour codes, calling it a significant step toward “recognition, protection and dignity” for their work.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment earlier this week reportedly released the draft Code on Social Security (Central) Rules, 2025, which lays out the norms for gig workers to access various social security benefits and safeguards.
“Congratulations to all Gig Workers and Delivery Partners. There is good news for you. Central Government’s draft Social Security Rules are the first step towards recognition, protection and dignity for your work. Even though the Platforms (Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, etc.) chose not to listen to your voices, the people of this country and the government did. This is a small win, but an important win,” Chadha wrote on X.
Congratulations to all Gig Workers and Delivery Partners. There is good news for you.Central Government’s draft Social Security Rules are the first step towards recognition, protection and dignity for your work.
Even though the Platforms (Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, etc.) chose… pic.twitter.com/tD7iyI25k6
— Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) January 4, 2026
The AAP MP, who has long advocated for the rights of gig workers, including on the floor of Parliament, added, “These draft rules were not framed just because I raised the issue in Parliament, it has happened because you all also raised your voices. The companies and the platforms did not listen to you, but the government did, which should be welcomed,” in a video shared on X.
Meanwhile, Mohandas Pai, Chairman of Aarin Capital, launched a sharp attack at Chadha, accusing him of falsely taking credit for work done by the Central government and private platforms on gig worker welfare.
Responding to Chadha’s social media post welcoming the Centre’s draft Social Security Rules for gig workers, Pai alleged that the AAP leader was “lying” and attempting to claim ownership of reforms initiated over several years. In a post on X, Pai described Chadha as an “anarchist” and said his attempts to provoke unrest through calls for strikes had failed.
“The Anarchist @raghav_chadha lies through his teeth and is trying to take credit for the work of the Platforms and govt over the last many years. He failed to crate anarchy through the ill advices ‘strike!. The public and gig workers exposed him and now this. Typical of @AamAadmiParty who lie always and try to take credit for the work of others @sbikh Sadly these liars got a lot of funding from Tech founders too earlier and let them down with corruption and bad governance,” Pai wrote on X.
The Anarchist @raghav_chadha lies through his teeth and is trying to take credit for the work of the Platforms and govt over the last many years. He failed to crate anarchy through the ill advices ‘strike!. The public and gig workers exposed him and now this. Typical of… https://t.co/WYeS2BSrRF— Mohandas Pai (@TVMohandasPai) January 4, 2026
New Rules To Legally Recognise Gig Workers: Chadha
Under the proposed rules, gig workers will be legally recognised and provided with a unique identity, Chadha noted. In the recent Parliament session, he highlighted the “pain and misery” of India’s gig workforce, who often work under harsh conditions and intense pressure. He called for regulations on quick commerce and app-based delivery services, emphasising the need for fair pay, dignity, and protection for these workers.
For the first time, the Code on Social Security, 2020, which came into force on November 21, 2025, defines ‘gig workers’ and ‘platform workers’ and includes provisions specifically for them. It allows for the establishment of social security measures covering life and disability insurance, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, and old-age protection. The Code also provides for a Social Security Fund to finance welfare schemes and a National Social Security Board dedicated to the welfare of gig and platform workers.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment had earlier launched the e-Shram portal on August 26, 2021, to create a comprehensive national database of unorganized workers, including platform and migrant workers, providing them with a Universal Account Number (UAN) through self-declaration. Additionally, the e-Shram ‘One-Stop-Solution,’ launched on October 21, 2024, integrates multiple social security and welfare schemes into a single portal to support unorganized workers.
January 04, 2026, 11:53 IST
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