In an effort to attract gig workers, both the BRS and Congress parties are reaching out to representatives of these app-based workers. These workers deliver goods and passengers to various destinations, often at high speeds and risking their lives.
The gig worker sector, mainly consisting of delivery boys, is estimated to employ between 300,000 to 400,000 people in the state. This includes workers from companies like Ola, Uber, Swiggy, Zomato, and Amazon.
The Congress party promises to establish a welfare board for gig workers, providing social security such as insurance and fair wages. Minister K T Rama Rao also promised a Tripartite Welfare Board for gig workers in Telangana after meeting with them. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is expected to meet with them during his visit to the city.
The Congress declaration includes plans to pass a law for gig worker welfare in Telangana. It also promises to create a welfare board for gig workers, provide social security benefits including insurance, and ensure fair wages once they come into power. Representatives who previously voiced their demands to the party were present at the meeting held in Gandhi Bhavan premises.
KTR, after interacting with gig worker representatives, stated that the BRS government would support them and negotiate with companies to provide health insurance, PF, and ESI to ensure job security. He pledged to establish a Tripartite Welfare Board for gig workers after December 3, which would include the companies, Telangana government, and the workers themselves. The board would also have a legal cell to handle any contract breaches by companies.
During the interaction, some workers expressed concerns about companies reducing incentives and not increasing fair prices. KTR responded positively and mentioned that these companies operate in multiple states and countries, so discussions will be held to find solutions to these issues.
When a gig worker suggested launching an app for food delivery, cab booking, and other online services, KTR mentioned that a similar app exists in Kerala and he will investigate its feasibility in Telangana.
Shaik Salauddin, founder and State President of Telangana Gig And Platform Workers Union (TGPWU), emphasized the need for a centralized tracking and management system for financial transactions on aggregator platforms. He also urged the implementation of a social security framework for gig and platform workers in Telangana, similar to the Rajasthan Platform-based Gig Workers Bill.
