Telangana Drafts Bill for Gig Workers' Welfare
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Synopsis
The Telangana government is finalizing a draft bill aimed at improving the welfare and security of gig workers, with a target completion date of April 25. This legislation is set to be a model for other states in India.
Key Takeaways
- Draft bill focuses on gig workers' welfare.
- Public feedback is encouraged before finalization.
- Final version due by April 25.
- Approximately 400,000 gig workers in Telangana.
- First state to provide accidental insurance.
Hyderabad, April 14 (NationPress) The government of Telangana has drafted a bill aimed at the welfare and protection of gig and platform workers, with plans to finalize it later this month.
On Monday, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy stated that this legislation should be a benchmark for the entire nation.
He instructed officials to promptly make the draft bill accessible for public feedback.
During a meeting with ministers and officials, he stressed that the final draft must incorporate suggestions, opinions, and objections from the public. The complete version of the bill is expected to be ready by April 25.
The Chief Minister convened a special meeting at the Secretariat with representatives from the gig workforce, union leaders, and senior officials from various departments.
The Labour Department has formulated the ‘Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Bill’, which is designed to provide job security, insurance, and other fundamental rights to gig workers. Officials presented the details of the draft to the Chief Minister during the meeting.
He proposed several modifications and enhancements to the draft. He emphasized that the new legislation should prioritize the safety of workers while also promoting cooperation and understanding between companies and aggregators. He directed officials to upload the draft bill online without delay and gather public feedback.
He mandated that the final draft be ready by April 25, considering all inputs. He highlighted the importance of concluding the process on time so that the bill can be enacted on May 1st, which is International Labour Day.
The Chief Minister pointed out that approximately 400,000 gig workers are employed throughout the state in industries like food delivery, transportation, and package delivery. He urged officials to welcome suggestions, objections, and feedback from all sectors of society.
The Chief Minister recalled that the government had committed to enacting legislation for the safety of gig and platform workers prior to the elections. He noted that Telangana is the first state in India to implement accidental insurance for gig workers.
He mentioned that on December 30, 2023, the government issued directives to provide Rs 5 lakh accidental insurance in cases of a gig or platform worker’s death.
Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and P. Srinivas Reddy, Government Advisor Vem Narender Reddy, Vice Chair of the State Planning Board G. Chinna Reddy, Chief Secretary Shanti Kumari, Special Chief Secretaries Ramakrishna Rao, Jayesh Ranjan, and Sanjay Kumar, along with numerous other senior officials, participated in the meeting.
