Telangana Assembly Passes Gig Workers’ Welfare Bill

Hyderabad: The Assembly on Monday passed a bill to provide social security, employment and service conditions, safety, health and welfare measures to the nearly four-lakh-strong gig workers.

Under the bill, a Gig Workers’ Social Security and Welfare Board will be constituted, chaired ex‑officio by the labour minister and comprising 19 members, including officials and four representatives of gig workers. The Board will oversee registration of workers and platforms, certify collection of welfare fund fees, and implement social security schemes. Workers will receive a Unique ID to access these benefits.

The government will also appoint a grievance redressal officer and an appellate authority. Labour minister G. Vivek announced plans to launch a helpline, facilitate loans through banks, and seek sympathetic treatment from traffic police, noting that gig workers are on the roads round the clock. He further promised a 50 per cent concession on e‑vehicle purchases.

BJP legislator Harish Babu, citing a Niti Aayog report criticised the hire‑and‑fire policies of aggregators, warning that workers face constant risk of termination, and demanded job security and PF provisions on par with private employees.

MIM MLA Ahmed Bin Abdullah Balala urged the government to provide training under the Skills University and establish a welfare fund for gig workers’ well‑being.