"Supreme Court Hears Plea Seeking Social Security Rights for Gig and Platform Workers", 20 November 2024

The Supreme Court of India on November 19 heard a plea filed by the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT), seeking recognition of social security rights for platform workers employed by online food delivery, courier, and taxi aggregator platforms like Ola, Uber, Zomato, and Swiggy...

The petition, originally filed in December 2021, emphasises the urgency to implement social security measures under the existing labour laws. Senior Advocate ...., representing IFAT, argued that both the Union and State Governments must provide social security provisions for gig and platform workers. She argued that these provisions should include health benefits, insurance, and pension schemes.

Overseeing the hearing, Justice Dipankar Datta questioned the Union Government’s delay in submitting its affidavit, despite the case being pending since 2021. The Union’s counsel requested more time, citing the need for policy decisions. The Court granted the Union a final extension of three weeks to file its reply-affidavit, emphasizing that this would be the last opportunity for compliance.

The petition is against the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Moreover, the petition includes companies like ANI Technologies i.e. ‘Ola’, Uber, Bundl Technologies i.e. ‘Swiggy’, and Zomato.

Senior Advocate Indira Jaising stated that both the Union and State Governments must provide social security provisions for gig and platform workers, as mentioned above.

However, currently, the petition does not include States as a party....