Mandatory Health Insurance for All Gig Workers
Major health security boost! Draft Platform Workers (Health & Safety) Rules 2026 proposes mandatory ₹5 lakh health insurance for all active gig workers. 100% accidental injury coverage, maternity benefits, zero waiting period for emergencies.
🏛️ Why Health Insurance for Gig Workers is Critical
Currently, 85% gig workers operate without any health insurance। Accident या illness हो जाए तो income stop, medical bills बढते जाते हैं। Proposed mandate से 2.3 crore workers को instant coverage मिलेगा।
📜 Proposed Coverage Breakdown
🏛️ Base Health Insurance (₹5 Lakh)
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Hospitalization: ₹5L cashless treatment (network hospitals)
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Pre-Hospitalization: 30 days before admission covered
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Post-Hospitalization: 60 days after discharge covered
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Room Rent: No sub-limits (single AC room allowed)
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Day-Care Procedures: 100+ treatments (cataract, dialysis, etc.)
🚑 Accidental Injury (100% Coverage)
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Work-Related Accidents: Unlimited coverage (road accidents during delivery/rides)
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Permanent Disability: ₹10L lump sum compensation
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Death Benefit: ₹15L to family/nominee
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Ambulance Charges: ₹5,000 per emergency
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Zero Waiting: Accident coverage immediate from day 1
🤰 Maternity Benefits (Optional Add-on)
- Normal delivery: ₹50,000 | C-section: ₹75,000
- Pre-natal checkups (8-10 visits) covered
- Post-natal care (6 weeks) included
- Waiting period: 9 months (waived for existing workers)
💼 Platform Aggregator Obligations
Who Must Provide Insurance?
✅ Mandatory for platforms with:
- Annual turnover > ₹20 crore
- Active workers > 500 (monthly average)
- Operating in 2+ states
⚠️ Cost Burden: Platform must bear 100% premium cost—cannot deduct from worker earnings।
📅 Coverage Trigger: Worker active for 15+ days in a month becomes eligible automatically।
📊 Cost Estimate per Worker
Base Health (₹5L): ₹3,000-4,000/year
Accidental (₹15L): ₹1,500-2,000/year
Maternity (optional): ₹1,000/year
Total: ₹5,500-7,000/worker/year
🧩 Platform Impact (Example)
Platform: Zomato
Active Partners: 2.5 lakh
Annual Premium: ₹150-175 crore
As % of turnover: ~1.2-1.5%
📝 How to Claim Insurance (Proposed Process)
Emergency Hotline
हर platform app में "Health Emergency" button होगा → 24/7 helpline connect होगा → cashless hospitalization arrange होगा।
Hospital Admission
Network hospital में cashless treatment → Insurance card (digital + physical) show करें → approval 2-4 hours में।
Claim Settlement
Cashless: Hospital directly से settle करेगा (zero paperwork for worker)
Reimbursement: अगर non-network hospital, तो bills submit करें → 15 days में payment
Workers can submit feedback on coverage requirements via Labour Ministry portal