Remarks by Minister Vivek Venkatswamy on the Gig Workers Bill in the Legislative Council

In recent years, the platform-based gig economy has witnessed rapid growth across the country, particularly in the state of Telangana. The state capital, Hyderabad, has emerged as a major hub for digital innovation and online services, supported by strong IT infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and a growing startup ecosystem.

As a result, the use of digital platforms has increased significantly across sectors such as ride-sharing, grocery delivery, e-commerce, healthcare, logistics, and content services.

At present, more than 4 lakh gig workers are engaged in various platform-based services in Telangana.

However, the growing dependence on platforms such as Uber, Swiggy, and Zomato has brought several critical issues to the forefront. These include the lack of social security for gig workers, absence of labour rights, limited scope for collective representation, lack of access to formal social security systems, and the absence of an effective grievance redressal mechanism.

In this context, the Government of Telangana has recognized the urgent need to establish a legal and institutional framework to ensure that platform-based gig workers are not excluded from social welfare, security, and fair working conditions. After a comprehensive study of the needs of gig workers and the functioning of digital platforms, the government has decided to introduce the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Welfare Bill.

The proposed legislation aims to establish a Platform-Based Gig Workers Council and a Welfare Board, introduce a registration system for gig workers and aggregators, and create a structured grievance redressal mechanism. It also proposes the creation of a welfare fund through a levy of 1 to 2 percent on aggregators, which will be utilized to provide benefits such as insurance, pensions, and maternity support.

The Bill also emphasizes transparency in working conditions, clarity in wage deductions, and non-discriminatory use of algorithms. Further, it proposes the establishment of dedicated grievance redressal cells and platform-level committees to ensure accountability.

Regular audits, public disclosures, and penalties for violations are also envisaged to strengthen enforcement and ensure compliance.

This legislation marks a progressive step towards recognizing the role of gig workers in the digital economy and safeguarding their rights and livelihoods. It is designed to complement existing labour and social security laws while addressing the gaps in this emerging sector.