Key Points

Karnataka has made history by passing India's first comprehensive gig workers welfare bill. The legislation covers approximately 4 lakh workers across various digital platforms including transport and food delivery services. It establishes a welfare board and fund while providing health insurance coverage of up to Rs 2 lakh. The bill received unanimous support from both ruling and opposition parties in the Assembly.

Key Points: Karnataka Passes Landmark Gig Workers Welfare Bill for 4 Lakh Workers

  • Bill covers 4 lakh gig workers across transport, food delivery, and e-commerce sectors
  • Provides health insurance coverage up to Rs 2 lakh for registered workers
  • Establishes welfare board and fund for platform-based gig workers
  • Introduces mandatory registration for both workers and digital platform collectors
2 min read

Karnataka Assembly passes gig workers welfare bill

Karnataka becomes first Indian state to pass comprehensive gig workers welfare bill, providing health insurance, dispute resolution, and welfare fund for 4 lakh platform workers.

"This new concept has come to the country - Minister Santosh Lad"

Bengaluru, August 19

Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad introduced the gig workers' welfare bill in the legislative session of the Assembly on Tuesday. After explaining, he stated that those working on digital platforms are gig workers. It includes food items, e-market, professional, transport, and health services.

"This new concept has come to the country," he said, "Such an act is already in force in foreign countries. This commerce platform is growing year by year," the Minister Lad added.

According to NITI Aayog, 23.5 million workers will come under its purview. "There are 4 lakh gig workers in Karnataka. Out of them, some own two-wheelers, rickshaws, and cars," he stated.

The bill aims to introduce transparency in the system of automatic monitoring and decision-making, thereby holding digital platform collectors accountable. Minister Lad stated that this includes providing a dispute resolution mechanism, forming a welfare board, and establishing a welfare fund for platform-based gig workers.

He noted that most gig work occurs in urban areas with traffic congestion, air pollution, and noise pollution. Due to pollution, a gig worker is suffering from health problems as if he had smoked ten cigarettes. The state government has provided health insurance of up to Rs 2 lakh to him, he said.

Minister Lad stated that 10,560 workers have already registered under this gig platform.

He also stated that platform-based gig workers are required to register with the board, and that collectors or platforms must also register. Additionally, income security and proper working conditions are provided for gig workers, he added.

All members of the ruling and opposition parties welcomed the 'Gig Workers Bill'.

The bill was then passed by voice vote when Assembly Speaker UT Khader put it to the ballot.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good initiative but implementation is key. Hope this doesn't lead to increased costs for consumers. Delivery apps are already expensive in Bengaluru!
A
Arjun K
The pollution comparison to smoking 10 cigarettes is eye-opening. These delivery partners risk their health daily in our traffic. They deserve proper protection 🇮🇳
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Sarah B
As someone who frequently uses food delivery apps, I appreciate this move. The workers deserve dignity and security. Hope other states follow Karnataka's lead!
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Vikram M
Only 10,560 registered out of 4 lakh workers? Shows how much awareness is needed. Government should run campaigns to educate gig workers about their rights
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Michael C
While the intent is good, I worry about the bureaucratic burden. Hope the registration process is simple and digital. Otherwise it will defeat the purpose of gig economy flexibility
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Ananya R
Dispute resolution mechanism is much needed! Many delivery partners face unfair ratings and penalties. This could bring some balance to the system 🙏

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