Gig Economy Welfare in Tiruchy: A Missed Opportunity or Misguided Effort?

In August 2023, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin made headlines with the announcement of a dedicated welfare board for platform-based gig workers—a significant move to support an often-overlooked segment of the workforce. Two years later, the picture in Tiruchirappalli (Tiruchy) is far from ideal.

Despite the promise of financial aid, including electric scooter subsidies, only around 300 of over 1,500 gig workers in the district have registered with the welfare board. Labour department officials are concerned—and critics are questioning whether the initiative is truly reaching those who need it most.

Low Enrollment: Why Aren’t Workers Signing Up?

Officials from the district labour department point to several factors behind the low turnout:

• Lack of awareness

• Perceived bureaucracy

• Logistical barriers

• Absence of engagement from platform companies

“We distribute pamphlets in hotels and restaurants with high delivery footfall, but most workers are either unaware or reluctant,” a senior official explained.

Even though registration only requires basic documents and OTP verification through e-Shram and state portals, many gig workers view the process as confusing or unnecessary.

Voices from the Ground: Confusion, Reluctance, and Disinterest

P. Saravanan, 28, a college student and part-time delivery executive, summed up the mood of many gig workers:

“This is just a temporary job while I prepare for government exams. Why commit to a welfare board for something I want to leave?”

For A. Moideen, 35, a full-time gig worker who works across three platforms, the issue is less about intent and more about complexity:

“I’ve heard about the e-scooter subsidy. But the process is confusing — first e-Shram, then a state portal, Aadhaar OTP, and so on. When do I find time to do all this?”

Meanwhile, M. Priya, 31, a single mother juggling food and parcel deliveries, said she only heard about the board through a pamphlet handed to her mid-delivery:

“No one from the app ever told me about it. Why should I take it seriously if my own platform doesn’t?”

Disconnect Between Government and Aggregators

The labour department has made attempts to collaborate with platform aggregators to spread awareness and increase enrollments. However, without access to worker databases or platform cooperation, manual outreach remains the only tool at their disposal.

Officials acknowledge that while the state welfare board is well-intentioned, its delivery mechanism lacks structure—and without app-based platforms on board, the message simply isn't reaching workers effectively.

Critics Speak Out: Is the Welfare Board a Band-Aid?

Labour activists say the problem runs deeper than subsidies and registration hurdles.

C. Rengarajan, CITU’s Tiruchy district secretary, believes the welfare board falls short of offering real protection:

“This board offers a stop-gap solution, not structural security. Gig workers deserve real labour rights—PF, ESI, fixed work hours—not just token subsidies.”

He argues that gig work is inherently unstable, and workers need long-term protections that go beyond incentives like e-scooters or one-time aid.

What Needs to Change?

To truly serve gig workers in Tiruchy and beyond, experts suggest the following:

• Direct platform engagement: Apps must educate workers and enable in-app registration for welfare schemes.

• Simplified registration process: Reduce digital barriers and offer offline registration camps.

• Worker awareness drives: Community meetings, peer-led awareness, and multilingual materials can help.

• Structural protections: Beyond welfare boards, there must be policy-level support for universal social security and labour rights.

• Conclusion: More Than Just Benefits, Gig Workers Need Respect and Security

  While the welfare board was launched with the right intentions, its impact remains limited without broader engagement and systemic reforms. For many gig workers in Tiruchy, the board feels distant, bureaucratic, and irrelevant to their daily hustle.

  Until policymakers address the real needs of gig workers—fair wages, job security, and inclusion in the formal workforce—initiatives like this risk being seen as symbolic rather than substantial.