Gig and platform workers seek social security from political parties

 Hyderabad: More than four lakh people, particularly youngsters, working with the gig and ecommerce platforms are urging political parties to meet their demands for protection and workmen’s benefits.

They have submitted representations to all political parties ahead of the elections. While  the parties have handed out assurances, there is no mention of it elsewhere.

S. Sridhar of Mahbubnagar, who works for a ride-sharing platform, told Deccan Chronicle that the commissions were decent in the initial days but gradually the company had cut down on payouts and increased the targets. “It is becoming difficult to even get commission to cover our EMIs,” he said.

Madhukar from Balanagar, who works for a food delivery app, said they are always rushed to deliver food in time, and face the wrath of customers, which sometimes includes physical attacks, if they are late. “The company does not take responsibility for such incidents. We need protection and a proper work environment,” he said.

Shaik Salauddin, the founder and state president of the Telangana Gig And Platform Workers Union, said they had approached political parties for a social security Bill for the 4.2 lakhs of gig and platform workers.

He demanded the parties give an assurance in an open forum or in writing that they would set up a corpus fund for the workers as is done in Karnataka and Rajasthan. The Congress is in power in these states but in Telangana the party has not said a word, Salauddin said.

“Here the government praises the companies for providing employment but does not seem to be bothered about the employees. All parties should understand that we are comprise four per cent of the population. If our families are also included, the number is much bigger,” he said.

• Social security Bill for the 4.2 lakhs of gig and platform workers.
• Corpus fund for the workers as in Karnataka and Rajasthan
• Legislation protecting from assault by customers
• Higher commissions
• All parties should understand that we are comprise four per cent of the population. If our families are also included, the number is much bigger
• Shaik Salauddin, founder and president of the Telangana Gig And Platform Workers Union