UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Union Labour Ministry sets up social security Boards for unorganised, gig, platform workers

Q1. With reference to the National Social Security Boards constituted under the Code on Social Security, 2020, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A scheme recommended by a Board takes effect only when the Union government formulates and notifies it.
  2. The Boards frame the rules of procedure for their own meetings.
  3. By reviewing expenditure from the fund, the Boards exercise oversight over its use even though they do not themselves disburse benefits.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q2. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. The composition of the National Social Security Boards can be changed without amending the Constitution of India.
  2. The functions of the National Social Security Boards are recommendatory and advisory rather than executive.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q3. Under the Code on Social Security, 2020, an aggregator's contribution is a notified percentage of its annual turnover, subject to a ceiling linked to the amount it pays or owes to gig and platform workers. Consider the following statements about the consequences of this design: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. If an aggregator's payouts to gig and platform workers are small relative to its turnover, the ceiling rather than the notified rate can decide its actual contribution.
  2. Of two aggregators with equal turnover, the one paying more to its gig and platform workers can face a higher maximum contribution.
  3. Raising the notified rate need not raise the contribution of an aggregator whose liability is already at the ceiling.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q4. Suppose a State legislature passes its own law setting up a welfare board and a welfare fund for platform-based gig workers in that State, while the Code on Social Security, 2020 is in force. With reference to the constitutional position, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The State legislature is competent to make such a law, because social security and social insurance are in the Concurrent List.
  2. The State law would be void simply because Parliament has already legislated on the same subject.
  3. Employment and unemployment are Union List subjects, so the State cannot legislate on the employment conditions of platform workers.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. Consider the following statements in the context of the Code on Social Security, 2020: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A delivery partner who logs into a food-delivery app and is paid per order, with no contract of employment with the app company, falls within the Code's idea of a gig or platform worker.
  2. A worker on the regular rolls of a factory, drawing a monthly wage under a contract of employment, becomes a gig worker under the Code if the factory sells its products through an online platform.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. Both 1 and 2
  • D. Neither 1 nor 2