Hyderabad: Labour Minister Vivek Venkatswamy said the government framed the gig workers Bill after consultations with stakeholders to address lack of job security and welfare among platform workers.
Speaking in the Assembly, Vivek Venkatswamy said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had interacted with gig workers during the Bharat Jodo Yatra and understood their challenges. He noted that workers lacked minimum wages, job security and health protection.
Based on these concerns, he said Rahul Gandhi advised Congress governments to introduce protective measures for gig workers. He also suggested that legislation should follow consultations with aggregators and labour unions.
Vivek Venkatswamy details framework for gig workers welfare
Following these directions, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy initiated discussions with stakeholders and prepared a draft Bill. The government placed the draft in the public domain for 30 days and received around 65 suggestions.
Subsequently, a committee under the Chief Secretary examined these inputs. In addition, Vivek Venkatswamy said he held five rounds of discussions with aggregators and labour unions after assuming office.
He stated that Telangana had around four lakh gig workers. Therefore, he said aggregators must share responsibility for their welfare as part of social obligation.
The Bill proposed a 20-member board with representation from all stakeholders. The board will meet once every three months to review implementation.
After passage of the Bill, the government will form another committee to frame detailed rules. This process will include consultations with workers and aggregators.
The Minister said authorities would introduce a registration system for gig workers. Each worker would receive a unique identification number to access welfare schemes.
He added that social security benefits would extend to registered workers. At the same time, aggregators violating provisions of the law would face penalties.