Latest news with #ShaikSalauddin
Hans India
07-08-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Drivers forum urges govt to implement km-based uniform fare
Hyderabad: The Telangana App-Based Drivers Forum (TADF), representing thousands of city auto, cab, and app-based aggregator drivers including those on platforms like Ola, Uber, and Rapido, has submitted two formal representations to the Transport Department and the Labour Department of the Government of Telangana. In their letter to the Transport Minister and Transport Commissioner, TADF has demanded the implementation of kilometre-based, uniform fares for city autos, cabs, and aggregator services—similar to the model introduced in Karnataka. Shaik Salauddin, TADF member, said that the key concerns raised include – elimination of exploitative surge pricing and fluctuating fare algorithms; transparency in fare structures, including base fare, per km charge, and waiting time; regulation of illegally operating vehicles from other states on aggregator platforms. In a separate representation to the Additional Commissioner of Labour, TADF has demanded that the state government to notify a uniform fixed fare rule that ensures minimum wage-level earnings for drivers after deductions; extend the applicability of Platform Workers' Law to auto and cab drivers on app-based platforms; establish a tripartite committee comprising the Labour Department, driver unions, and aggregator companies to frame and monitor fair regulations TADF emphasized that the rapidly expanding platform economy must not become a space for deregulated, low-paid work. 'Drivers deserve dignity of labour, predictable income, and protection from exploitation. Telangana must take the lead in ensuring fairness and transparency in the transport gig economy,' the Forum said. TADF has expressed its willingness to participate in formal consultations and policy review meetings to support the government's efforts toward regulation and worker welfare.
Hans India
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
TGPWU urges immediate renewal, expansion of Rs 5 lakh accident insurance scheme
Hyderabad: Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) expressed deep concern over the expiry of the Rs 5 lakh Accident Insurance Scheme meant for transport and non-transport auto drivers, Home Guards, and journalists in Telangana. The scheme, which provided vital social security coverage since 2015, expired on 8th October 2024, leaving over 13.11 lakh beneficiaries without protection. Worryingly, 454 claims amounting to Rs 22.7 crore from the 2019–2024 period remain unsettled, highlighting severe lapses in coordination between the Labour Department, Transport Department, and insurance companies, says Shaik Salauddin, Founder President, Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU). These delays and administrative failures have exposed thousands of hardworking individuals and their families to immense risk, undermining the state's commitment to worker welfare. The union called on the Government of Telangana to act immediately by – decentralizing scheme implementation under the Transport Department for efficient execution. Increasing insurance coverage** to Rs 10 lakh, including accidental disability and hospitalization benefits. Ensuring uninterrupted policy renewal to prevent future lapses in coverage. Conducting awareness campaigns to educate beneficiaries about the scheme and claims process. This is a call for justice for those who keep our cities connected and safe—drivers, Home Guards, and journalists. We urge the Chief Minister and Labour Department to take swift, decisive action to restore and strengthen this life-saving scheme.
The Hindu
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Call for including minimum wage guarantee in gig workers' Bill
A gig workers' union has expressed strong opposition to the absence of minimum wage guarantee provisions in the Telangana Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration, Social Security & Welfare) Bill, 2025. Telangana Gig and Platform Workers' Union (TGPWU) office-bearer Shaik Salauddin said minimum wage was a key demand that would ensure equitable pay for all gig workers. The lack of this very safeguard is problematic. 'What of the minimum wage guarantee? This is one aspect that will protect gig and platform workers from being exploited. When this clause in not made available in the Bill, it puts a lot of workers, who toil in unsafe conditions on bad road, battling heatwaves and rains, in a vulnerable position. Minimum wage guarantee per ride, per trip, per delivery is critical,' Mr Salauddin said. said the TGPWU demanded the inclusion of enforceable minimum wage in the final version of the Bill, and provisions to ensure daily or hourly minimum wages for all platform-based workers. 'We want to urge Chief Minister Reddy and the Labour Minister to take a serious view of the matter and commit to this safeguard. Minimum wage guarantee should be included immediatley,' said. It is estimated that there are around 3.5 lakh to 4 lakh gig and platform workers in Telangana. According to both unions and workers, they work long shifts, which on several occasions go up to 12 hours. An overwhelming majority of gig and platform workers are young men, up to the age of 35 years. In the recent past, the TGPWU had pointed out that those from the backward castes and classes constitute a significant chunk of gig and platform workers, indicating a dire need for government intervention. To further illustrate the difficult conditions in which gig workers work, the TGPWU along with Heat Watch embarked on a survey which revealed that 52% of the respondents experienced heat exhaustion.
New Indian Express
06-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Telangana gig workers welcome insurance in new rules
HYDERABAD: Telangana gig workers unions, including IFAT and TGPWU, has welcomed certain provisions of the newly notified Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines 2025 while raising serious concerns over other aspects. IFAT general secretary and TGPWU founder president, Shaik Salauddin, lauded the government's decision to mandate health and term insurance for drivers, with coverages of `5 lakh and `10 lakh respectively. He also appreciated the focus on safety protocols, including background checks, induction training, and vehicle safety standards. However, the unions expressed discontent over several unresolved issues. They reiterated the long-pending demand for a uniform fare policy across the country and urged the government to ban bike taxis operating illegally with private registration plates. The guidelines also allow fares to spike two to three times during peak demand hours, emergencies, or festivals. While passengers are forced to pay inflated fares, drivers receive only a minimal share of the increased amount and often bear the brunt of customer dissatisfaction. The unions also fear that the financial liabilities imposed on aggregator companies, such as license fees of `5 lakh and security deposits up to `50 lakh may eventually be shifted onto the drivers through higher commissions or hidden charges.
The Hindu
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Centre gives green signal for bike taxis; Rapido hails move
The Centre has allowed inclusion of 'non-transport motorcycles' by ride hailing apps in its revised guidelines for taxi aggregators at a time States like Karnataka have banned bike taxis. The guidelines issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) on July 1 provide a regulatory framework for State governments to issue licences and regulate aggregators. It says State governments may adopt these revised guidelines within three months. Clause 23.1 of the Motor Vehicles Aggregator Guidelines states, 'the State government may allow aggregation of non-transport motorcycles for journey by passengers as shared mobility through aggregators,' adding that this will help in reducing traffic congestion, vehicular pollution and provide passenger mobility, hyperlocal delivery, and create livelihood opportunities. Bike hailing app Rapido welcomed the move. 'By recognising non-transport motorcycles as a means of shared mobility, the government has opened the door to more affordable transportation options for millions, especially in underserved and hyperlocal areas,' it said in a press statement. Concurrent subject While transport is a concurrent subject, State governments may follow guidelines issued by the Central government while issuing licence to aggregators, as per Section 36 of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019. The Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) has opposed the move and said non-transport bikes, or those with white plates, must not be allowed to operate as taxis. 'Bike taxis operating on white number plate [private] motorcycles remain illegal. These services compromise passenger safety, evade taxes, and hurt the livelihood of licensed taxi, auto, and bike drivers,' said Shaik Salauddin, National General Secretary, IFAT and Founder President, Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU). They reiterated their demand to the Telangana government to ban such services. In April 2025, a single judge of the Karnataka High Court ordered Ola, Uber and Rapido to cease their bike-taxis' operations unless the State government framed proper guidelines. The Bench gave them time till June 15 to shut their two-wheeler shop. Ride aggregators have appealed against the order. The State government held the opinion that two-wheelers are not safe for commuters, especially for women. It is opposed to use of bikes registered for personal use for commercial purposes. In other changes, the Centre's guidelines allow aggregators to charge up to twice the base fare during peak hours as compared to the maximum of 1.5 times allowed earlier, while maintaining a minimum of 50% during off-peak periods. The guidelines though have dropped the requirement of maximum number of hours drivers can log. In the 2020 guidelines, drivers could not work for more than 12 hours per day and were required to be given a mandatory break of 10 hours after a 12-hour duty. The IFAT has opposed surge pricing and urged that State governments to 'fix minimum and maximum fares to stop arbitrary pricing by app companies. The current model benefits only the aggregators, while customers overpay, and drivers receive inconsistent, unfair payments,' its press statement said.
