MAINS Current Affairs includes ILO Convention No. 193 & Parliament Passed Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026

ECONOMY

1. ILO Convention No. 193

Context: The International Labour Conference (ILC) adopted ILO Convention No. 193, titled “Decent Work in the Platform Economy”, marking the first legally binding international labour standard specifically for platform workers.

• During the voting, 406 delegates voted in favour, 8 voted against, while 36 delegates, including India, abstained.
• Note: The International Labour Organization (ILO) follows a tripartite structure, where every member country is represented by four delegates—two from the government, one from employers, and one from workers.

About ILO Convention No. 193

• ILO Convention No. 193 is the first legally binding international labour convention dedicated exclusively to the platform economy.
• The Convention establishes a global framework to ensure that rapid technological innovation and emerging digital business models are accompanied by workers’ rights, fair competition, social protection, and sustainable economic growth.
• The Convention seeks to balance innovation with decent working conditions for platform workers.

Scope of the Convention

The Convention applies to:

• Digital labour platforms.
• Digital platform workers.
• Workers in formal employment relationships.
• Self-employed platform workers.

It covers both:

• Location-based platform work, such as ride-hailing and food delivery services.
• Online platform work, including freelancing, digital services, and remote work.

The Convention addresses a broad range of issues, including:

• Fundamental principles and rights at work;
• Occupational safety and health;
• Violence and harassment;
• Promotion of decent work opportunities;
• Remuneration or payment;
• Social security;
• Impact of the use of automated systems based on algorithms on workers;
• Data protection and privacy;
• Suspension, deactivation and termination;
• Protection of migrants and refugees;
• Access to justice.
• On Automated Systems:The Convention contains provisions on the impact of the use of automated systems based on algorithms, including automated decision-making systems.
• It establishes principles relating to their transparent use and access to review mechanismswhen automated systems based on algorithms affect workers.
• Once ratified,it must be implemented through national laws, regulations, policies, collective agreements in accordance with each country’s legal system and national practice.

Who are Gig Workers?

Gig workers are individuals engaged in non-standard forms of employment that fall outside traditional long-term employer-employee relationships.

They generally work as:

• Independent contractors
• Freelancers
• Temporary workers
• Platform workers

The term “gig” originates from the music industry, where performers accepted short-term engagements at different venues.

Today, the gig economy primarily uses digital platforms to connect service providers with customers.

Examples

• Ride-hailing services
• Food delivery platforms
• Holiday rental platforms
• Online freelancing platforms

Gig Economy in India (According to NITI Aayog)

The gig economy has expanded rapidly in India.

Key Statistics

• Around 7 million workers were engaged in the gig economy in 2020.
• The gig workforce is expected to increase to 5 million workers by 2029–30, accounting for approximately 4.1% of India’s total workforce.

Income Distribution

• Around 39% of gig workers earn between ₹10,000 and ₹25,000 per month.
• Around 34% earn between ₹25,000 and ₹40,000 per month.

Many workers perform 12-hour shifts, bear their own fuel and operating expenses, and generally do not receive overtime payments.

Only around 15% of gig workers currently have access to any form of social security.

Skill Composition

• 47% are engaged in medium-skilled work.
• 22% work in high-skilled occupations.
• 31% are engaged in low-skilled work.

The gig economy is expected to contribute around 1.25% of India’s GDP by 2030 and generate nearly 90 million jobs over the long term.

Reasons for the Rise of Gig Work

Post-Pandemic Expansion

• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the growth of the gig economy as delivery services expanded rapidly and many workers shifted to temporary and contract-based employment after losing regular jobs.

Flexibility

• Gig work offers workers greater flexibility, including the freedom to work from different locations and choose their working hours.

Technological Advancement

• The widespread availability of smartphones, digital payment systems, and high-speed internet has made platform-based employment easier and more accessible.

Benefits for Small Businesses

• Many small businesses prefer hiring freelancers and temporary workers instead of maintaining permanent employees, thereby reducing labour costs.

Lower Cost for Employers

Employers save costs by avoiding expenditure on:

• Provident Fund
• Medical insurance
• Paid leave
• Bonuses
• Other employee benefits

Payment is generally made only for completed work.

Challenges

• Work-life balance:For some workers, the flexibility of working gigs can actually disrupt the work-life balance, sleep patterns, and activities of daily life.
• Can replace Full time employees:The number of full-time employees required by the company can be reduced as freelance workers take over the work.
• No regular job benefits:Many employers save money by avoiding paying benefits such as health coverage and paid vacation time.
  • There is no formal employment relationship with the platform company and there are usually no employee benefits in short-term contracts.

Government Initiatives for Gig Workers

Code on Social Security, 2020

The Code on Social Security, 2020 provides for the formulation of social security schemes for gig workers and platform workers covering:

• Life and disability insurance
• Accident insurance
• Health benefits
• Maternity benefits
• Old-age protection

The Code also requires aggregators to contribute 1%–2% of their annual turnover, subject to a maximum of 5% of worker payouts, towards a social security fund.

However, these provisions have not yet been brought into force.

e-Shram Portal

• The Government launched the e-Shram Portal in 2021 to create a comprehensive national database of unorganised workers, including gig and platform workers.
• Workers can register on a self-declaration basis, and the portal currently covers around 400 occupations.
• The portal aims to facilitate delivery of social security benefits and welfare schemes.

Conclusion

The rapid expansion of the platform economy has transformed employment opportunities by creating flexible work options and generating millions of livelihoods. However, gig workers often lack job security, health insurance, social security, and other benefits available to regular employees.

The adoption of ILO Convention No. 193 represents an important global step towards ensuring decent work, fair remuneration, social protection, transparency, and workers’ rights in the platform economy. For India, strengthening social security measures, effectively implementing labour protections, and extending welfare coverage to gig workers will be essential for achieving inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

2. Parliament Passed Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026

Context: Parliament has passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, extending the same statutory legal protection currently available to the National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana) to the National Song (Vande Mataram).

Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026

Objective

• The Amendment seeks to remove the legislative gap by extending legal protection to Vande Mataram, ensuring that it receives the same statutory protection as the National Anthem.

Key Highlights of the Amendment

• The Bill amends Section 3 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.

It makes the following acts punishable:

• Intentionally preventing the singing of Vande Mataram.
• Disturbing any assembly engaged in singing Vande Mataram.

Punishment

The punishment remains unchanged:

• Imprisonment up to 3 years, or
• Fine, or

Repeat Offenders

The enhanced punishment under Section 3A for repeat offenders will also apply to offences relating to the National Song.

Why was the Amendment Proposed?

• Although Dr. Rajendra Prasad, while addressing the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950, stated that Vande Mataram should be honoured equally with Jana Gana Mana, the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971provided statutory protection only to the National Anthem, creating a legislative gap that the Amendment seeks to address.

The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971

• Enacted on 23rd December 1971, the Act extends to the whole of India and provides statutory protection to the Indian National Flag, the Constitution of India and the Indian National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana.
• Key Provisions of the Existing Act:
  • Section 2 –National Flag and Constitution: Deals with insults to the Indian National Flag and the Constitution of India. It stipulates that anyone who burns, mutilates, defaces, defiles, disfigures, destroys, tramples upon, or otherwise shows disrespect to the Flag or the Constitution in a public place can face imprisonment for up to three years, a fine, or both.
  • Lawful criticism protected: Comments criticising the Constitution, the National Flag or government measures, when made with a view to securing lawful amendment or alteration, do not constitute an offence under Section 2.
  • Section 3 – National Anthem: Specifically addresses the National Anthem. It states that anyone who intentionally prevents the singing of the Indian National Anthem or causes a disturbance to any assembly engaged in singing it shall be punished with imprisonment extending up to three years, or a fine, or both.
  • Section 3A – Repeat offences: Added by a 2003 amendment, this section enforces an enhanced minimum penalty of one year of imprisonment for second and subsequent convictions under Sections 2 or 3.

Vande Mataram

Origin

• Meaning: “Mother, I Bow to Thee.”
• Written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.
• First published in Bangadarshan on 7 November 1875.
• Later incorporated into his novel Anandamath (1882).
• Set to music by Rabindranath Tagore.

Historical Significance

Vande Mataram became one of the strongest symbols of Indian nationalism and the freedom struggle.

It:

• Inspired the Swadeshi Movement (1905).
• Served as a patriotic rallying cry against British rule.
• Was displayed by Madam Bhikaji Cama on the first Indian tricolour unfurled abroad (1907).
• Was invoked by revolutionaries such as Madan Lal Dhingra as a symbol of patriotism.

Significance of the Amendment

• Removes the legislative gap between the National Anthem and the National Song.
• Provides equal statutory protection to Vande Mataram.
• Reinforces respect for India’s national symbols.
• Gives legislative effect to the spirit of Rajendra Prasad’s 1950 statement that the National Song should enjoy equal honour with the National Anthem.
• Strengthens legal safeguards against intentional disruption or disrespect towards the National Song.

Conclusion

The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 strengthens the legal framework protecting India’s national symbols by extending statutory protection to Vande Mataram. By bringing the National Song under the same legal safeguards as the National Anthem, the Amendment seeks to uphold national honour while preserving the historical and cultural significance of one of India’s most enduring symbols of patriotism.

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