Previous Year Question
In which one of the following years was the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act passed?
2004
2006
2008
2010
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
The Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008 was enacted with the objective of providing social security and welfare measures to workers in the unorganised sector.
The related Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 10 September 2007. After consideration and amendments, it was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 23 October 2008 and by the Lok Sabha on 17 December 2008.
It received Presidential assent on 30 December 2008 and became Act No. 33 of 2008. The Act came into force on 16 May 2009.
The Act provided for bringing workers such as home-based workers, self-employed workers and wage workers in the unorganised sector within a social-security framework.
It enabled the Central and State Governments to frame welfare schemes covering areas such as life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits and old-age protection. It also provided for National Social Security Board and State Social Security Boards.
Act passed/enacted → 2008
Act came into force → 16 May 2009
Current Status
The Code on Social Security, 2020 came into force on 21 November 2025. The Code consolidated nine earlier social-security laws, including the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008.
Under the new framework, social-security coverage has also been extended beyond unorganised workers to gig workers and platform workers.