GIG WORKER INSURANCE
Telangana implements gig worker rules, mandates minimum pay, social security benefits
The Telangana government has launched the Telangana Platform-Based Gig Workers Rules, which establish rights for gig workers. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy introduced the legislation during a ceremony with Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad. The new rules include provisions for social security benefits, minimum remuneration, and protection against arbitrary account deactivation. Shaik Salauddin from the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union emphasized the need for effective implementation of these rights.
Rahul Gandhi calls out ‘fascists’ at Bharat Summit, launches Telangana gig workers’ welfare scheme
Addressing the Bharat Summit 2026 in Hyderabad, Gandhi hit out at what he termed "fascists" in business, academia, and politics, asserting that they tend to scream and refuse to listen while the humble majority remains quieter.
Telangana to provide gig workers Rs 5 lakh accident cover, Rs 10 lakh health insurance: Rahul Gandhi
Telangana has announced a new welfare scheme aimed at supporting gig workers in the state. The initiative includes accident insurance amounting to Rs 5 lakh and health insurance of Rs 10 lakh. Workers will receive 1% of each transaction for their deliveries directly into their bank accounts. This payment will be facilitated through a dedicated gig workers' board.
MeitY flags physical AI data; US data centre woes may help India
Happy Friday! MeitY is examining how home services platforms collect household data to train physical AI models.This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Gig workers may get social security benefits through 2% transaction levy on businesses
The government is considering implementing a 2% transaction-based levy on aggregators to support social security for gig workers. This levy will fund benefits such as insurance, health, and maternity support for over 12 million workers. There is a consensus that this approach ensures fairness among different types of aggregators. The new scheme is expected to be launched in 2027, requiring gig workers to meet specific work criteria.
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Karnataka gig workers seek implementation of welfare schemes
In a letter to the board’s chief executive officer, Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers (IFAT) and Karnataka App-based Workers Union (KAWU) sought immediate rollout of health and accident insurance, income support during medical emergencies and temporary disablement, maternity benefits, scholarships for children of platform workers and an emergency distress fund.

100% equity NPS schemes have attracted younger investors, says Sriram Iyer, MD & CEO, HDFC Pension Fund
The multiple-scheme framework introduced last year, the lower mandatory annuitisation requirement, and the growing focus on non-government subscribers and gig workers are broadening NPS’s appeal, Sriram Iyer, MD & CEO, HDFC Pension Fund, tells Preeti Kulkarni.

Uber, Eternal, Porter quit Karnataka gig and platform workers welfare board
The state government has approached other platforms to fill the vacancies. Delhivery, Namma Yatri and Yulu have responded positively and agreed to join the board, people familiar with the development told ET. So far only 15 platform companies have registered with the board, collectively representing about seven lakh gig workers.

China's netizens rage against professor who said gig work was a type of 'welfare'
A prominent economics professor's remarks on gig work as welfare ignited public anger in China. She argued flexibility offers welfare, contrasting it with regular employment benefits. This controversy highlights deep anxieties over job insecurity in China's cooling economy. Flexible workers, without permanent contracts, are projected to reach 320 million this year. Experts warn this trend strains China's welfare and pension systems significantly.

Telangana govt to bring in new Act for welfare of Gig, platform workers
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has directed officials to gather public feedback on the draft Bill aimed at providing social security to Gig and platform workers. The goal is to finalize the bill, incorporating suggestions and objections, and enact it by May 1st, International Workers' Day, fulfilling a Congress party election promise.

Budget 2025: Govt extends Ayushman Bharat health cover to 1 Crore gig workers
The Budget 2025 announces that gig workers will now be eligible for healthcare under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). This move addresses gig workers' lack of income security and access to medical services, and recognizes their contribution to the economy.

Budget 2025: 1 crore gig workers to get identity cards and healthcare
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced identity cards and registration on the e-Shram portal for nearly one crore gig workers, recognizing their vital role in the new-age services economy. They will also receive healthcare under PM Jan Aarogya Yojana. This move aims to improve social security for gig workers, with additional benefits like Ayushman Bharat and insurance on the horizon.

Budget 2025: Gig workers to get identity cards, healthcare by govt
The quick commerce sector in the country has seen massive expansion over the past year and 10-minute grocery delivery firms such as Zomato-owned Blinkit, Lightspeed-backed Zepto and Swiggy Instamart have employed thousands of gig workers to manage dark stores and make deliveries.

Pension to insurance: What govt is planning as social security measures for gig workers
The labour ministry is preparing a framework for social security for gig workers, providing health insurance and pension benefits. This initiative will benefit workers from ride-hailing apps and delivery platforms. The policy will be legally binding across the country. The framework is set to be implemented before the budget in February.

Plan afoot for dedicated scheme under Social Security Code: Labour Secy
The Centre is set to introduce a social security policy for gig workers within a few months, aiming to provide mandatory benefits like life insurance and maternity benefits. The number of gig workers in India is expected to rise significantly, reaching 23 million by 2030 from 7.7 million in 2020.

Karnataka plans to levy cess on online transactions to fund welfare of gig workers
The State Government plans to levy a cess on online transactions to fund the welfare of gig workers. The government will introduce the Platform-Based Gig Workers Fund and Welfare Fee Bill to provide livelihood security and insurance. Bengaluru has an estimated 200,000 plus gig workers.

Aggregators need to take responsibility of gig workers: Labour Secretary Arti Ahuja
Union Labour Secretary Arti Ahuja said that the 'National Steering Committee' is there to ensure that aggregators do their responsibilities towards their Gig workers and provide health insurance, accidental insurance and social security for them. Ahuja further added that portability of social security should be ensured so that Gig workers receive the benefits.

Karnataka rolls out Rs 4 lakh insurance cover to gig workers
Karnataka's Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, has announced the implementation of an insurance cover worth Rs 4 lakh for each gig worker in the state. The scheme will cover approximately 2.3 lakh gig workers and aims to provide social security to those in the unorganized sector, such as delivery personnel for companies like Swiggy and Zomato. This announcement fulfills a vow made during Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jogo yatra. The Congress had promised in its manifesto to establish a gig workers' welfare board and ensure a minimum hourly wage for workers in the unorganized sector.

India's digital economy creates a new vote bank all parties want to woo
The rise of the gig economy during the pandemic has created a new politically significant vote bank in India. Gig workers, often young and uninsured, have become a cohesive voting bloc, with grievances that political parties are now starting to address. Measures to protect the welfare of gig workers have already been taken in Rajasthan and Karnataka, with the Congress party and Narendra Modi's government pledging social security and insurance benefits.

The great gig no longer just in the sky
The steps taken by both governments are welcome and must be rolled out Asap. But there must be clarity on who will pay for the welfare fund. Ideally, it should be the gig platforms, and the Rajasthan government must ensure that it is not quietly passed on to consumers.

Karnataka budget: Gig workers to have Rs 4 lakh insurance cover
The state will pay the entire premium for the scheme under which workers will get a life insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh and accidental cover of Rs 2 lakh, chief minister Siddaramaiah said while presenting the state budget.

Government wants gig workers to get social security benefits
The labour ministry has held some discussions with the platforms but the issue has not been resolved yet. Given that these would be group covers, the cost will not be significant for the platforms, which have seen amassive jump in workers thronging to them, either for part-time jobs or even full-time employment.

Govt nudging firms to offer social security benefits to gig workers
The gig and platform workers, who are engaged by various e-commerce businesses like Uber, Ola, Swiggy, and Zomato, are not paid salaries and hence deprived of social security benefits like provident fund, group insurance and pension.

Gig workers are young, financially stressed and largely uninsured: report
Over 4,000 gig workers from platforms such as Swiggy, Zomato, Uber, Ola, UrbanClap, and Amazon were surveyed for the report on the state of gig workers in India.

Over 15% of gig workers face a financial deficit of Rs 5,000 on average: Survey
According to the data, gig workers are young with a median age of 27 years, out of which 37% are married, 29% with children, and 28% are migrants. 60% are motivated to work to support their family. In contrast, 18% claim gig work helps them earn extra pocket money.

Almost 90% of gig workers run out of their salaries before month-end: Survey
Almost 90% of the gig workers run out of their salaries before the end of the month, when key expenses come due, which leads to a strong preference for smaller ticket loans, especially at short repayment tenures. 53% of gig workers support their parents, whereas 25% support their children.

GigVistas partners with Alyve Health to launch health plans for gig workers
GigVistas said that members who purchase the health plans would have additional benefits of free doctor (GP) consultation on call for 12 months, discounts on medicines and exclusive access to health and wellness programmes. In addition, gig professionals will be able to purchase health insurance online on GigVistas without requiring any pre-issuance medical check-ups.

GigIndia to provide Rs 3 lakh insurance cover to active gig workers
The company is initiating efforts to ensure certified giggers on its platform continue receiving gigs (projects), thereby enabling a steady monthly income
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