Tamil Nadu Doubles Gig Worker Accident Cover to ₹10 Lakh

Registered gig workers in Tamil Nadu can now claim ₹10 lakh in accident insurance, a doubling of previous coverage, signaling a major state-led push for worker welfare. Under ‘Vettri Karangal’, 1,000 registered construction workers will receive international skill training for overseas employment, according to The Times of India. The doubling of accident insurance and the 'Vettri Karangal' scheme demonstrate the state's dual focus on immediate worker safety and long-term economic upliftment through skill development and global opportunities.

The Tamil Nadu government is allocating significant funds and launching ambitious schemes to protect and upskill its informal workforce, but the challenge remains in ensuring these benefits reach the vast majority of eligible workers effectively. For more, see our Tamil Nadu Doubles Gig Worker.

Tamil Nadu is positioning itself as a leader in formalizing and empowering its informal labor sector, potentially setting a precedent for other states while facing the practical hurdles of large-scale implementation.

Enhanced Safety Nets and Broad Skill Development

50,000 registered construction workers will receive seven-day training in various trades, with ₹48 crore earmarked for this program, according to The Times of India.
50,000 registered construction workers will receive seven days of skill training with wage-loss compensation of ₹800 per day, as reported by The New Indian Express.

The government is committed to making skill enhancement accessible and financially viable for a large segment of construction workers through substantial allocation and provision of wage-loss compensation during training. By doubling accident insurance to ₹10 lakh and compensating workers for lost wages during skill training, Tamil Nadu is directly addressing the core financial anxieties that prevent informal workers from accessing critical safety nets and career advancement.

Specifically, construction skill centres will be set up at five government industrial training institutes at a total outlay of ₹76.46 crore to provide advanced skill training for registered construction workers, as detailed by The New Indian Express. Under the 'Tamil Nadu Construction Skilled Hands Going Abroad' scheme, 1,000 registered construction workers will receive international-level skill training, including foreign language learning, to help them secure jobs abroad, also reported by The New Indian Express. It is important to note that while The New Indian Express refers to this as 'Tamil Nadu Construction Skilled Hands Going Abroad', The Times of India identifies a similar program as 'Vettri Karangal'.