Health and Safety of Gig and Platform Workers: Reassessing Worker Protection Under the New Labour Codes

The rapid expansion of the gig and platform economy has fundamentally transformed labour markets, raising critical concerns regarding the health and safety of gig and platform workers. In India, the enactment of the new labour codes, particularly the Code on Social Security, 2020, represents the first legislative attempt to formally recognise and extend welfare protections to this emerging workforce. This paper examines the adequacy and effectiveness of health and safety provisions for gig and platform workers under the new labour codes. It analyses the statutory framework governing occupational safety, social security, and welfare benefits, while highlighting the ambiguities surrounding employer liability, enforcement mechanisms, and access to benefits. The study further explores practical challenges such as algorithmic control, absence of workplace safeguards, and lack of collective bargaining, which undermine health and safety outcomes. By comparing legal intent with on-ground realities, the paper argues that while the new labour codes mark a progressive step, significant regulatory gaps remain. Strengthening implementation, clarity in obligations, and worker-centric safeguards are essential to ensure meaningful health and safety protection in the gig economy.