Latest news with #KarnatakaPlatform-BasedGigWorkers(SocialSecurityandWelfare)Bill
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
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Karnataka Assembly passes Bill for welfare of gig workers
Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Tuesday passed a Bill that aims to protect the rights of platform-based gig workers, and to place obligations on aggregators in relation to the workers' social security, occupational health, and safety. Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2025, proposes a welfare fee of 1 to 5 percent of the payout to the worker during each transaction, for different categories of aggregators or platforms. The Bill provides for transparency in automated monitoring and decision-making systems to provide dispute resolution mechanisms; establish a gig workers welfare board; create a welfare fund for platform-based gig workers; and require platform-based gig workers to be registered with the Board. Also, provide registration of aggregators or platforms; and provide income security and reasonable working conditions to the platform-based gig workers. Earlier, the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Ordinance, 2025 was promulgated in May, as the matter was urgent and both Houses of the State Legislature were not in session. Live Events Piloting the Bill for the consideration of the House, Labour Minister Santosh Lad said, "Gig economy, delivery services -- e-commerce or food delivery -- are growing in a big way year-on-year. According to the NITI Ayog report, by 2029-30, about 23.5 million workers are expected to be part of it. As per the information we have in Karnataka, it is about 4 lakh gig workers." Noting that gig workers work both full and part-time, and they work amid traffic and pollution, he said, "to earn Rs 1,600 to 1,800 he has to work for 16 hours. One work is considered one gig, and a worker may get 25 to 30 gigs." Rules under this legislation are already in process, he said. "Welfare fee of 1-5 percent of a gig worker's payout will be collected. This cannot be equally applied to everyone as Swiggy, Zomato businesses will be different from e-commerce and so on. They are different kinds of businesses. So 1-5 per cent will not be levied equally on everyone. We will discuss and decide on it while framing rules." The provisions of the bill are applicable to services provided by aggregator or platform -- ride sharing services; food and grocery delivery services; logistics services; e-Market place (both marketplace and inventory model) for wholesale/retail sale of goods and/or services - Business to Business /Business to Consumer (B2B/B2C); professional activity provider; healthcare; travel and hospitality; and content and media services. Lad said, as per the bill, an aggregator cannot terminate a gig worker from service without prior notice of 14 days and without providing valid reasons in writing. The Assembly also passed the Karnataka Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Bill that will allow municipal commissioners to regularise unlawful buildings by levying a penalty. It also exempts small properties from requiring commencement certificates (CC) and occupancy certificates (OC). The Karnataka Ports (Landing and Shipping Fees) (Amendment) Bill was also passed. The Bill aims to revise the fees on goods shipped in such intervals, as prescribed by the rules; and to increase or decrease the percentage of fee by the Government by notification if fees are not revised within time. Also passed was the Karnataka Essential Services Maintenance (Amendment) Bill, with an intention to extend the provisions of the said original Act for a further period of ten years. The original act aims to curb illegal strikes, ensuring the delivery of essential services to the people. The Karnataka Souharda Sahakari (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was also passed by the Assembly to make Souharda Cooperatives maintain 20 percent of the total deposits as State Statutory Liquid Reserve to manage increasing cases of misappropriation. The move is said to be aimed at protecting the interests of depositors. Among other things, the Bill also provides for funds which are not immediately required for use by a Souharda Co-operative to be invested or deposited outside its business.
News18
2 days ago
- Business
- News18
Karnataka Assembly passes Bill for welfare of gig workers
Agency: Bengaluru, Aug 19 (PTI) Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Tuesday passed a Bill that aims to protect the rights of platform-based gig workers, and to place obligations on aggregators in relation to the workers' social security, occupational health, and safety. Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2025, proposes a welfare fee of 1 to 5 percent of the payout to the worker during each transaction, for different categories of aggregators or platforms. The Bill provides for transparency in automated monitoring and decision-making systems to provide dispute resolution mechanisms; establish a gig workers welfare board; create a welfare fund for platform-based gig workers; and require platform-based gig workers to be registered with the Board. Also, provide registration of aggregators or platforms; and provide income security and reasonable working conditions to the platform-based gig workers. Earlier, the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Ordinance, 2025 was promulgated in May, as the matter was urgent and both Houses of the State Legislature were not in session. Piloting the Bill for the consideration of the House, Labour Minister Santosh Lad said, 'Gig economy, delivery services — e-commerce or food delivery — are growing in a big way year-on-year. According to the NITI Ayog report, by 2029-30, about 23.5 million workers are expected to be part of it. As per the information we have in Karnataka, it is about 4 lakh gig workers." Noting that gig workers work both full and part-time, and they work amid traffic and pollution, he said, 'to earn Rs 1,600 to 1,800 he has to work for 16 hours. One work is considered one gig, and a worker may get 25 to 30 gigs." Rules under this legislation are already in process, he said. 'Welfare fee of 1-5 percent of a gig worker's payout will be collected. This cannot be equally applied to everyone as Swiggy, Zomato businesses will be different from e-commerce and so on. They are different kinds of businesses. So 1-5 per cent will not be levied equally on everyone. We will discuss and decide on it while framing rules." The provisions of the bill are applicable to services provided by aggregator or platform — ride sharing services; food and grocery delivery services; logistics services; e-Market place (both marketplace and inventory model) for wholesale/retail sale of goods and/or services – Business to Business /Business to Consumer (B2B/B2C); professional activity provider; healthcare; travel and hospitality; and content and media services. Lad said, as per the bill, an aggregator cannot terminate a gig worker from service without prior notice of 14 days and without providing valid reasons in writing. The Assembly also passed the Karnataka Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Bill that will allow municipal commissioners to regularise unlawful buildings by levying a penalty. It also exempts small properties from requiring commencement certificates (CC) and occupancy certificates (OC). The Karnataka Ports (Landing and Shipping Fees) (Amendment) Bill was also passed. The Bill aims to revise the fees on goods shipped in such intervals, as prescribed by the rules; and to increase or decrease the percentage of fee by the Government by notification if fees are not revised within time. Also passed was the Karnataka Essential Services Maintenance (Amendment) Bill, with an intention to extend the provisions of the said original Act for a further period of ten years. The original act aims to curb illegal strikes, ensuring the delivery of essential services to the people. The Karnataka Souharda Sahakari (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was also passed by the Assembly to make Souharda Cooperatives maintain 20 percent of the total deposits as State Statutory Liquid Reserve to manage increasing cases of misappropriation. The move is said to be aimed at protecting the interests of depositors. Among other things, the Bill also provides for funds which are not immediately required for use by a Souharda Co-operative to be invested or deposited outside its business. PTI KSU ADB (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: August 19, 2025, 21:45 IST News agency-feeds Karnataka Assembly passes Bill for welfare of gig workers Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
