WELFARE OF GIG WORKERS
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.
Congress believes in making workers partners, will stand by gig workers: Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad
Congress and Telangana government have launched the Gig Workers’ Social Security and Welfare Scheme in Hyderabad. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi emphasized the importance of data rights for gig workers during the event. He noted that workers currently lack access to their work-related information from digital platforms. Additionally, he addressed the challenging working conditions faced by gig workers while promising improvements.
ETtech Explainer: Food delivery, ride-hailing firms differ on gig worker welfare levy calculation
Food delivery and quick-commerce companies such as Zomato and Swiggy are seeking a levy based on the value of transactions facilitated through their platforms, while cab and bike-taxi aggregators such as Uber and Rapido want it to be calculated on their own turnover rather than the total value of rides facilitated.
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Centre sets up social security board to frame welfare schemes for gig workers
In a significant move, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has initiated the National Social Security Board, designed to improve welfare for unorganised and gig economy workers. This board will advise on the rollout and supervision of important social security programs. Scheduled to meet three times annually, it will also manage policy discussions and oversee the financial aspects of the Social Security Code.
Gig workers get a seat at the table as Centre notifies social security boards
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has notified the National Social Security Board for unorganised workers and gig workers. This board will enable the implementation of welfare schemes designed to address social security gaps. It will include representatives from government, companies, and civil society to ensure diverse input. The board is expected to meet regularly to discuss policies affecting these workers.
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.
Gig-worker levy: Turnover-linked formula seen as more proportionate than transaction-based levy, say Analysts
India’s proposed social-security contribution model for gig workers could have vastly different effects across platforms. Analysts say a payout-linked levy could disproportionately hit high-volume ride-hailing businesses, potentially exceeding their turnover, while a turnover-based formula would better reflect an aggregator’s economic capacity.
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.
Platforms, IAMAI move Karnataka HC against gig workers welfare law
The petitions come after the state government did not respond to IAMAI's request to defer the levy of the gig workers' welfare fee until the Centre and the state evolve a mechanism to offset contributions under their respective laws, and notify specific welfare schemes for gig workers.
IAMAI urges Karnataka to defer gig worker welfare fee on ecomm firms till specifics are defined
Per the Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers (Social Security & Welfare) Act, 2025, ecommerce operators are required to pay 1% of their commission, subject to a cap, to fund gig workers’ welfare.
Karnataka Assembly passes Bill for welfare of gig workers
The Karnataka Legislative Assembly passed a Bill to safeguard gig workers' rights, mandating aggregators to ensure social security and safety. It proposes a welfare fee of 1-5% on each transaction, establishing a welfare board and fund. The bill also addresses unlawful building regularization, revises shipping fees, extends essential services maintenance, and strengthens cooperative deposit security.
Karnataka forms working groups to fix gig worker welfare levy, tech integration
With this, Karnataka is moving ahead to become the first southern state with a gig worker welfare board. The fee will be fixed at 1-5% of each payout made to the gig worker, with higher revenue-earning businesses, such as cab-hailing services, forking out more than others.
Gig workers’ welfare programme: With ordinance out, Karnataka to issue draft rules in two weeks
Once finalised, the regulations will prescribe the rates of fees payable by platforms for services, such as ride-hailing, food delivery and online retail.Labour minister Santosh Lad credits Rahul Gandhi with the vision for the move. About five lakh gig workers are engaged by platforms throughout the state, and the law will benefit all of them, he added.
Gig workers’ welfare programme: With ordinance out, Karnataka to issue draft rules in two weeks
Karnataka will soon release draft rules to implement a service fee on online platforms, funding welfare schemes for gig workers under a new prdinance. The law, driven by Rahul Gandhi’s initiative, aims to establish a welfare board and operationalise the fund by August, benefiting around five lakh gig workers statewide.
Karnataka eyes gig fund rollout by August end; labour dept engages platforms to fix fee
The Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill 2024 has been sent by the government to Raj Bhavan with a request to issue an Ordinance. The rules will suggest differential rates of fee for services, such as ride hailing, food delivery and online retail.
Govt has finally awoken to need for national law for gig workers' welfare: Congress
The Congress has commended the government's recent commitment to extending social security benefits to gig workers, claiming it has awakened to the need for a comprehensive national law. Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya confirmed the government's proactive stance on ensuring social security for gig workers, a key agenda also upheld by the Congress party.
India needs national legal, social security architecture for gig workers: Congress
Congress is advocating for a national legal and social security framework for gig workers in India, highlighting Karnataka's proposed Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2024 as a milestone legislation. The bill aims to establish formal rights and social security for platform-based gig workers, including setting up a welfare fund and board, ensuring worker protection and payment regulations. Congress urges the Union Budget to address the growing gig worker population and provide justice through legislation.
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.
What festive season hiring holds for companies and candidates
E-commerce companies are expected to hire a lot of gig workers in preparation for the busy festive season. Awign Co-Founder & CEO Annanya Sarthak predicts that over 60,000 gig workers will be engaged across several sectors for the rest of the year. However, processing such a significant number of applications and documents quickly presents a challenge.
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.
After Rajasthan, now Karnataka planning surcharge on online transactions to support gig workers
Karnataka government is planning a surcharge on online transactions conducted through platforms like Amazon and Zomato to bolster welfare benefits for gig economy workers. The Congress-led government in Rajasthan has already introduced such a surcharge of up to 2%. If Karnataka goes ahead, it will become the second Indian state to levy such a surcharge.
We always fulfil promises made to hardworking people: Rahul Gandhi after Rajasthan passes bill for gig workers
Rahul Gandhi, a Congress leader, has praised the Rajasthan government for passing a bill benefiting the welfare of gig workers. The bill aims to set up a Welfare Board, form a welfare fund for platform-based gig workers, and facilitate social security for them. This will become the foundation for crores of youths to rely on a reliable source of employment.
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.
Rajasthan government tables country's first gig workers bill
Rajasthan government on Friday tabled the Rajasthan Platform Based GIG Workers (registration and welfare) Bill, 2023 - country's first such - which seeks to guarantee social security to gig workers. The bill provisions for monetary penalties if an aggregator fails to comply with the Act.
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