An Empirical Study Examining Legal Awareness and Access to Social Security Among Gig Economy Workers - Including Swiggy, Zomato, Uber - In Bangalore

The gig economy has significantly transformed the employment landscape in Indian cities, particularly in Bengaluru. Digital platforms such as Swiggy, Zomato, and Uber provide flexible earning opportunities for thousands of workers, but this flexibility is often accompanied by job insecurity, lack of formal benefits, and unclear legal entitlements. Gig workers are typically classified as independent contractors, limiting their access to traditional labour protections and social security benefits. This empirical study examines the level of legal awareness and access to social security benefits among gig economy workers in Bengaluru and Mysuru. It focuses on workers’ understanding of their rights under labour welfare laws, especially the Code on Social Security, 2020, and the practical challenges they face in accessing these benefits. Using a descriptive research approach, the study relies on survey data collected from gig workers and secondary sources such as academic literature and policy documents. The findings reveal a significant gap between the existing legal framework and ground realities. Many respondents demonstrated limited awareness of government welfare schemes and uncertainty regarding their employment status. Workers also reported challenges including complex registration procedures, lack of documentation guidance, weak institutional support, and limited assistance from digital platforms during emergencies. The study highlights the need for awareness programs, simplified administrative processes, and greater accountability of platform companies, along with improved coordination between government agencies and labour organizations to ensure effective social security coverage for gig workers.