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Gig Workers Rally for Rights, Meet Rahul Gandhi Ahead of Nationwide Protest

A delegation of transport and delivery gig workers met Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi to advocate for central legislation and faster implementation of regulations in Congress-ruled states. The workers outlined issues like falling incomes and exploitation in the platform transport sector. This meeting precedes a planned nationwide protest by drivers and delivery workers against the failure to enforce minimum fare guidelines. Union leaders highlighted Karnataka as a positive example for passing a comprehensive law to aid gig workers.

Key Points: Gig Workers Meet Rahul Gandhi, Demand National Legislation

  • Delegation met Rahul Gandhi for legislation
  • Protest over falling incomes & exploitation
  • Karnataka praised for gig worker law
  • Demand for minimum fare enforcement
  • Nationwide shutdown planned for Feb 7
2 min read

Delhi: Gig workers' delegation meets Rahul Gandhi, asserts need for legislation

Gig workers' delegation meets Rahul Gandhi, pressing for central law and state action ahead of a nationwide protest over fares and working conditions.

Delhi: Gig workers' delegation meets Rahul Gandhi, asserts need for legislation
"At the central level, the government is providing social-security schemes, but that is not a substitute for statutory law. - Shaik Salauddin"

New Delhi, February 7

A delegation of transport and delivery gig workers met the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, to discuss the need for legislation from the Centre and implementations of regulations in Congress-ruled states, the Telangana Gig And Platform Workers Union's Founder President said.

Speaking to ANI on Friday, Union President Shaik Salauddin said the delegation outlined the problems faced by gig workers during the half-hour meeting.

Salauddin said, "This delegation included drivers and delivery workers from the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers. In Congress-ruled states, and even where we serve as the opposition, the election promises made to these workers have been acted upon. At the central level, the government is providing social-security schemes, but that is not a substitute for statutory law."

Further, he lauded the Congress government in Karnataka for bringing in a legislation to aid the gig workers.

"There was a detailed discussion. For about half an hour, the delegation described their problems one by one. We called on Congress governments in states where implementation has stalled to act promptly. We again congratulated Karnataka for being the first state to introduce a comprehensive law," he added.

The meeting came in the backdrop of an All-India Breakdown on February 7 (Saturday), announced by app-based transport workers affiliated with the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT), protesting falling incomes and increasing exploitation in the platform transport sector.

The nationwide protest will involve drivers and delivery workers associated with major platforms, including Ola, Uber, Rapido, Porter, and other app-based transport services.

According to the unions, the agitation is being organised against the continued failure of the Central and State Governments to notify minimum base fares under the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025. Despite these guidelines, aggregator companies continue to unilaterally set fares, pushing workers into unsustainable working conditions and forcing longer working hours with declining earnings.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Finally some political attention! These gig workers are the backbone of our urban economy now. But meeting Rahul Gandhi is one thing, actual legislation is another. Hope this leads to concrete action and not just another photo-op before elections.
A
Aman W
The Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines from 2025 exist but aren't being enforced? What's the point of making rules if companies like Ola and Uber can just ignore them? The government needs to show some teeth. These workers deserve minimum fare security.
S
Sarah B
As a frequent user of these apps, I see how hard the drivers work. The fares keep changing, and it must be so stressful for them. Supporting the nationwide protest. Fair wages are a basic right, not a privilege.
V
Vikram M
Good step. But I hope this isn't just political one-upmanship. The article says promises were acted upon in Congress-ruled states... but what about the others? This is a pan-India problem needing a non-partisan solution. The workers' welfare should come before party politics.
K
Karthik V
Absolutely correct. Social security schemes are welcome, but they are like a band-aid. What's needed is strong legislation that defines employer-employee relationship, minimum earnings, and working hours. The 'gig' label shouldn't mean no rights.

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