Odisha’s Gig Workers are Missing Out on Essential Social Security Benefits

Despite a significant surge in app-based services across Odisha, registration of gig and platform workers on the union government’s e-Shram portal remains alarmingly low. 

Labour and ESI Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia informed the State Assembly on March 24, 2026, that only 17,450 gig workers from the state have enrolled on the platform so far, leaving a vast majority without formal social security coverage.

The Awareness and Accessibility Barrier

The discrepancy between the actual workforce and registered numbers is stark. 

While a 2021 central government estimate placed Odisha’s gig workforce at approximately 52,000, labour rights activists, including Mahendra Parida, argue the number has multiplied significantly due to the post-pandemic boom in food delivery and ride-hailing sectors.

The primary hurdle cited for the low turnout is a profound lack of awareness. 

Many workers, often operating for over 12 hours a day under rigorous algorithmic pressure, remain unaware of the registration process or the benefits tied to the Universal Account Number (UAN). 

Furthermore, unlike other states, Odisha lacks a dedicated union or association for gig workers to facilitate collective bargaining or mass registration drives.

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Gig Workers Welfare Schemes vs. Ground Reality

Registration on the e-Shram portal is a critical prerequisite for accessing benefits under the Code on Social Security, 2020, which recently came into full effect. 

These benefits include accident insurance (₹2 lakh for death/permanent disability), health cover under Ayushman Bharat, and maternity benefits.

However, the state’s internal metrics reveal even deeper gaps; only 230 delivery partners are currently included under the Odisha Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Board. 

Officials note that while the state conducted a special campaign last April, the fragmented nature of the work—where partners are often on the move—makes traditional outreach efforts less effective.

Government Strategy for 2026

To bridge this divide, the Labour Department plans to leverage the newly launched Aggregator Module, which allows platform companies to directly assist in onboarding their partners. 

The state also aims to utilize State Seva Kendras (SSKs) and Common Service Centres to provide assisted registration modes, targeting a significant increase in enrollment by the end of the 2026 fiscal year.

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