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In the model of platform work, platforms are able to shift a large part of the risk burdens on to workers, with very little support mechanism for labour protections. Our study identified two sources of support for workers – (1) from the platforms and (2) from the government.
Some platforms offer health, life or accident insurance, but reported protection remains fragmented and uneven. Further, the availability of insurance does not establish whether coverage is affordable, adequate, portable or accessible in practice, particularly where workers must pay premiums themselves. PCI research therefore suggests a critical role for platform-financed comprehensive and portable health and accident coverage alongside paid sick, maternity and other forms of leave. Insurance should supplement—not replace—safe working conditions, earnings protection and social security, and should cover the risks and losses workers actually experience.
Considering that my job is prone to illness and accidents, I want to have insurance too. But because my income is uncertain, it's very hard for me.”
Jakarta, Indonesia
Recently, the platform has started an insurance mechanism. We are supposed to fill a form and submit documents. But the process is not clear to me and I don’t know what would happen even if I submit the documents. All I know is every week, a small amount will be deducted from my pay if I enroll. There is an online chat option but I have not had the time to ask questions with all the work and responsibilities on me.”
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Workers reported limited awareness and unclear processes around accessing benefits, leaving them unsure of how to avail them. At the same time, some workers reported benefits linked to incentive structures that drive longer working hours, creating additional access challenges.
The benefits normally require more rides than usual, and you will lose control of your time. You have no time to rest but will get all bookings given to you regardless of distance or even if it is dangerous. I am happy I have not yet availed myself of the insurance benefits. I have no idea how you can avail of it and I am also not interested in exerting myself so much.”
Metro Manila, the Philippines
Digital platform workers fall in a grey area within the labour rights framework, where they are neither classified as employees nor are able to exercise control associated with self-employment structures. Especially in context of limited labour protections and worker vulnerability, targeted social security mechanisms for digital platform workers could play an essential role in sharing risks and costs associated with platform work and also in ensuring labour protections.
Across sectors, most workers exhibit awareness of various social protection schemes. The majority of the workers know about health related schemes and financial support from governments.
While 92% workers across sectors were aware of one or more government schemes, reported access to government schemes was much lower. Across sectors, more than one-third of the workers did not receive any benefits. Access challenges may include structural issues, eligibility difficulties, documentation problems and other hurdles in the application or claim process leading to gaps.
I needed to get my citizenship card but I had to wait for two days at the office. There is always a huge queue at government offices. It is a very tiring process.”
Kathmandu, Nepal
Click a thematic area to reveal the share of workers in each country who are aware of schemes in that area and who have received their benefits.
Bangladesh
No scheme available, not included in calculation of awareness levels
India
Public Distribution System, Integrated Child Development Services
Indonesia
No scheme available, not included in calculation of awareness levels
Nepal
Child Nutrition Allowance
The Philippines
No scheme available, not included in calculation of awareness levels
Bangladesh
Maternity compensation
India
Ayushman Bharat scheme
Indonesia
BPJS Scheme, Family Hope Program
Nepal
Health insurance, Mother Safety and Prenatal Service Programme, Access to health scheme (free medicine, vaccination)
The Philippines
PhilHealth
Bangladesh
Education scholarships
India
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, etc.
Indonesia
Education Assistance Program (Indonesia Pintar)
Nepal
No scheme available, not included in calculation of awareness levels
The Philippines
No scheme available, not included in calculation of awareness levels
Bangladesh
Employment Program, Family card (indirectly supports livelihood stability)
India
MNREGA, Schemes within BOCW Act, DBT under Eshram, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna
Indonesia
BPJS for employment
Nepal
Crop and livestock insurance, Agriculture Sector Disaster Management Programme, Youth Self-Employment Fund, Social security scheme, Prime Minister Employment Programme, Employees Provident Fund
The Philippines
Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), Kabuhayan Program / DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), Cash for work by DSWD, Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP)
Bangladesh
No scheme available, not included in calculation of awareness levels
India
Pension scheme – old age / widow
Indonesia
No scheme available, not included in calculation of awareness levels
Nepal
Pension scheme, Senior Citizen's Allowance (SCA)
The Philippines
Social pension
Bangladesh
No scheme available, not included in calculation of awareness levels
India
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana
Indonesia
Public Housing Savings
Nepal
Public housing programme
The Philippines
Pag-IBIG – socialized house/home financing facility
Bangladesh
Elderly compensation, Widow compensation, Compensation for persons with disability
India
No scheme available, not included in calculation of awareness levels
Indonesia
Direct Cash Assistance, Social Assistance
Nepal
Disability Allowance, Single Women Allowance, Endangered Ethnicity Allowance
The Philippines
Social welfare (conditional cash transfer for the poor)
*Some countries may be missing from the theme-wise social protection data as they were not examined in this study for the particular thematic schemes/programmes. This means that the relevant schemes either did not exist in the country or were not included in the survey. Percentages describe the workers surveyed and should not be interpreted as population-level estimates. Respondents could report awareness of or access to more than one category of schemes.
GOVERNMENT SOCIAL SECURITY