Pressure groups form the social foundation of a democracy. In this context, discuss pressure groups' key contributions in promoting social security measures for workers in India, and how they address the gaps in existing policies.

Role in social security for workers Nearly 90% of the population is engaged in informal employment without adequate safety nets, pressure groups help

1. raising concerns of workers to the government and industry leaders.
2. Consolidate & mobilize workers under a single umbrella to empower them to use their collective bargaining power for better wages, working conditions, safety at work etc.
3. Conduct awareness programmes for workers to educate them about their legal rights. (4) provide them with access to affordable & quality legal counsel to enforce their rights. (5) they help create & improve grievance redressal mechanisms for workers. (6) demand policy reforms from governments (7) protection for gig workers.

Case study: Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan has been a worker-peasant pressure group at the forefront of worker rights movement.

Addressing gaps in Policies (1) Expose lacunae in policy implementation through social audit. (2) participate in policy making to help incorporate worker rights in laws/policies. (3) suggest sector specific reforms to labour laws. Eg: mining, construction etc. (4) by participating in DRSCs and other multi stakeholder consultations.