Gig and Platform Worker

Also called Gig Worker, Platform Worker, and Gig Economy

Someone who earns per task or per job outside a regular employment relationship. A platform worker is a gig worker who finds that work through an app, such as a delivery rider, a driver or a home-services professional.

Why it matters

India's Code on Social Security, in force since 21 November 2025, brings gig and platform workers under social security, with schemes funded partly by contributions from the platforms. For a startup that runs on riders or freelancers this becomes part of the cost of each order, and some states, such as Karnataka, have gig-worker laws of their own on top.

For example

A quick-commerce startup with 8,000 delivery riders budgets for its contribution to gig worker social security when it models the cost of each order.

Go deeper

Labour Codes Go Live Trilegal · article A law firm's update on the Labour Codes that covers the social security schemes for gig workers and how they sit alongside state laws such as Karnataka's. Open trilegal.com →

Related terms

Labour Codes Quick Commerce Marketplace

Also in Starting Up

See how founders actually handle this on Co-founders, team and legal, part of the Starting Up hub.

eChai Partner Brands The partnership →