Gig Workers Bill – A landmark step towards social justice

Rahul Gandhi’s vision takes shape in Telangana  

What began as a thought rooted in empathy for a rapidly growing yet largely unprotected segment of the workforce has now evolved into a full-fledged state law. The Telangana Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration, Social Security and Welfare) Act, 2026 stands as a historic milestone in safeguarding the rights and livelihoods of gig workers.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Labour Minister Dr. G. Vivek Venkatswamy, the Congress government has translated into reality the vision championed by Rahul Gandhi, who was among the first to engage deeply with gig workers and highlight their concerns with empathy and urgency.

Notably, Rahul Gandhi’s interaction with gig workers during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in 2023 played a crucial role in shaping this initiative. By understanding their day-to-day challenges and precarious working conditions, he strongly advocated for a dedicated legal framework, a commitment that has now materialized into law.

Following extensive consultations with stakeholders—including aggregators, trade unions, and worker representatives—the State has crafted one of the most comprehensive legislations in the country. While states like Rajasthan and Karnataka have taken steps in this direction, Telangana’s law sets a new benchmark in terms of inclusiveness and structural depth.

This welfare legislation is poised to benefit over 4 lakh gig workers engaged in sectors such as ride-sharing, delivery services, logistics, and e-commerce. While the gig economy has created significant employment opportunities, it has also exposed workers to vulnerabilities like income instability, lack of social security, and absence of formal grievance redressal mechanisms. This Act directly addresses these gaps.

The journey of this legislation was not without challenges. Despite multiple hurdles and intense deliberations, the government remained committed to ensuring a robust legal framework that not only strengthens workers’ rights but also provides protection against exploitation and uncertainties inherent in gig work.

The Act is built on a few core pillars:

• A comprehensive social security framework
• Establishment of a Welfare Board with representative governance
• Sustainable funding through aggregator contributions
• Time-bound grievance redressal mechanisms
• Transparency in digital governance
• Strengthened worker rights and protections

The legislation mandates the registration of all gig and platform workers, along with the issuance of unique identification numbers to ensure access to welfare benefits. It also requires aggregators to register, enabling the creation of a dynamic and accountable database.

A key institutional feature is the formation of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Welfare Board, comprising representatives from the government, workers, aggregators, and domain experts. This body will oversee policy formulation, implementation of welfare schemes, and continuous monitoring to ensure accountability.

Importantly, the Act introduces a welfare fee on aggregators linked to platform transactions, creating a sustainable funding model. It also ensures transparency in payment structures, safeguards against arbitrary deductions, and promotes fair contractual practices.

Unlike similar legislations in other states, Telangana’s approach integrates welfare, worker rights, regulatory oversight, and digital governance into a single cohesive framework. While aligned with the Code on Social Security, 2020, it goes a step further in offering a practical and implementable state-level model.

This landmark legislation reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that the benefits of the digital economy are distributed equitably. By bringing gig workers into a structured welfare framework, Telangana has not only addressed a pressing labour issue but also set a precedent for the rest of the country.

                             Mohammed Younus

     Public Relations Officer Labour & Mines Minister