TN hikes gig worker cover, launches overseas job scheme.

Tamil Nadu has announced a major welfare push for construction and gig workers, doubling accident insurance cover and launching a scheme to prepare construction workers for overseas jobs.

Labour Welfare Minister J Mohamed Farvas announced the measures in the Assembly on September 01, 2026.

Under the new package, accident insurance for registered gig workers on the state portal has been doubled from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. The state government will bear the entire premium. The scheme aims to provide financial security to delivery executives and platform workers facing road risks.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the state has launched ‘Vettri Karangal’ at a cost of Rs 15.06 crore. Under this, 1,000 workers registered with the Tamil Nadu Construction Workers Welfare Board will receive specialised international skill training and foreign language training to improve their employability abroad.

To upgrade domestic skills, 50,000 construction workers will be given seven-day training in trades such as masonry, carpentry, electrical work, plumbing and painting. During training, workers will get Rs 800 per day as wage compensation. The government has earmarked Rs 48 crore for this programme.

The government will also bear interest on e-bike loans for 1,000 gig workers to ease their transition to electric vehicles.

For infrastructure, transit accommodation centres will be set up in Chennai and Coimbatore at Rs 14 crore, 50 facilitation centres will come up at labour congregation points, and Construction Skill Centres of Excellence will be established in five government ITIs at Rs 76.46 crore.