Latest news with #GigWorkersWelfareBoard
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
A step closer to gig workers' safety, onus on aggregators
Bengaluru: The legislative assembly Tuesday passed the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2025, placing obligations on aggregators to provide social security benefits, including occupational health and safety, to gig workers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Proposing to establish the gig welfare fund on the lines of the fund for construction workers, the govt had earlier promulgated an ordinance on April 11, with governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot giving assent on May 27. The Bill now replaces the ordinance and envisages the creation of a Gig Workers Welfare Board to manage the fund and extend welfare measures. Opposition members, including CN Ashwath Narayan, suggested the govt also contribute to the fund along with aggregators. In response, labour minister Santosh Lad, who tabled the bill, said such suggestions would be considered while framing rules for legislation. However, to a proposal from BJP's Suresh Kumar to bring outsourced employees under the bill, Lad said: "They can't be included as they do not fit the definition of gig workers. " Lad explained that the contribution of aggregators to the fund would be determined by the Board. The bill allows aggregators to collect 1% to 5% of a gig workers' welfare fee from customers, which must be deposited into the fund at the end of each quarter. "The legislation ensures social security for gig workers. It is the need of the hour considering the rapid emergence of the gig economy," Lad said. "A NITI Aayog report says by 2029-30, about 23.5 million people will be employed as gig workers, creating many opportunities in this sector. There are about 4 lakh gig workers in Karnataka." Key provisions of the bill include a dispute resolution mechanism, registration of gig workers and aggregators with the Board, and measures to provide reasonable job security and health safety. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Board will comprise four representatives from gig workers' associations, representatives of aggregators, and two from civil society. It will also have powers to enter into agreements between gig workers and aggregators to prevent indiscriminate termination. Gig workers may also file complaints against aggregators before the Board, and in case of injustice, appeal before an Internal Dispute Committee even against the Board itself. Highlighting challenges workers face, Lad said: "Gig workers, especially two-wheeler riders, are constantly exposed to noise and environmental pollution. Some work 18 hours to earn Rs 1,800, taking on 25 to 30 delivery tasks a day. They face severe health hazards which is why this bill has been introduced." Who is a gig worker? The bill defines gig workers as those engaged through online platforms for services such as food and grocery delivery, logistics, e-market operations, health services, travel and hospitality besides others. It states that a gig worker is a person who performs or participates in a work arrangement, is paid a fee as per terms of a contract, and whose work is sourced through a platform in the services specified in the schedule.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
K'taka gig workers' welfare scheme takes off
Bengaluru: Karnataka govt Tuesday issued an ordinance to implement the long-promised Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers (social security and welfare) scheme, two years after announcing it in election manifesto. Following opposition from within the administration and stakeholders, the state finally moved ahead with the ordinance after direct intervention by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The ordinance enables formation of a welfare board dedicated to gig workers. One of the key challenges faced by the government was devising a mechanism to fund the welfare board. According to the ordinance, the corpus will be built through a levy ranging from a minimum of 1% to a maximum of 5% on each transaction involving platform-based gig workers. The transaction payout is calculated based on the distance travelled by the gig worker for delivery of goods or services. The ordinance states that the welfare levy -- officially termed the 'Gig Worker Welfare Fee' -- may vary across categories of aggregators or platforms. It also leaves room for this levy to be applied with or without a cap. The exact rates for each platform will be notified within six months. Additionally, the ordinance mandates all platforms to register with the newly formed Gig Workers Welfare Board within 45 days. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like China Power: Washington's loss, Beijing's gain as Chinese students shun the US for SE Asia? CNA Read More Undo Officials from the already-existing Karnataka State Unorganised Workers' Welfare Board will also serve on the new board. +++++ Platforms considered employing gig workers under the ordinance include: * Ride-sharing services * Food and grocery delivery services * Logistics services * E-marketplaces (both marketplace and inventory models) for wholesale/retail sale of goods and/or services (B2B/B2C) * Professional activity providers * Healthcare platforms * Travel and hospitality services * Content and media service providers
