Telangana to introduce model law and welfare board for gig workers: Vivek Venkatswamy

Hyderabad: Telangana Labour Minister Vivek Venkatswamy on Friday announced that the state will introduce a dedicated law and establish a welfare board for gig workers, aiming to create a policy framework that could serve as a national model.

He chaired a review meeting at the Secretariat with officials to discuss issues faced by gig workers and the inputs received from them. The minister said gig workers were facing serious challenges and underlined the need to secure their rights through legislation.

Venkatswamy said the Telangana government would follow the precedent set by the Congress government in Rajasthan, which had enacted a law to support gig workers. He confirmed that Telangana would establish a separate board and implement a registration system to bring all gig workers under formal oversight.

Officials have received 66 suggestions and recommendations from both workers and platform operators, which are under active consideration. He said the government would finalise support measures after detailed deliberation.

He also recalled that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had raised the issue of gig worker welfare at the Bharat Summit and called for justice to this segment.

The policy proposals will be brought before the state cabinet. Venkatswamy added that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had already interacted directly with gig workers and assured government backing.

A bill will be introduced in the Assembly with provisions to ensure that gig workers receive minimum wages. The minister said Telangana is home to nearly 4.5 lakh gig workers, and the proposed legislation will be a significant step toward protecting their livelihoods.