Revanth Plans Law on Welfare of Gig Workers on May Day
The Labour department prepared draft Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Bill to provide welfare, job security and insurance facilities to workers
Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday announced that the state government would bring in the law for the welfare of gig and platform workers on May 1, International Workers' Day. The government is planning to issue an Ordinance for the implementation of the new law.
The Chief Minister directed officials to keep the draft Bill in the public domain immediately and seek feedback and suggestions from all stakeholders. He set a deadline of April 25 for the final draft to facilitate the state government to bring the new Act from May 1, during a meeting with representatives of gig workers unions and senior officials.
The labour department has prepared the draft bill to provide welfare, job security, insurance facilities and other rights to the workers. Officials briefed the Chief Minister about the issues to be included in the Bill.
Revanth Reddy suggested several changes and additions in the draft, which gives priority to the welfare of the workers and ensures coordination and friendly move between the companies and aggregators.
Nearly four lakh gig workers are working in food delivery, cab drivers and package deliveries across the state, the Chief Minister said asserting that suggestions and objections should be accepted from all sections.
Reminding that the promise made before the Assembly elections to bring a law for the welfare and safety of gig workers and platform workers, Revanth Reddy said that for the first time in the country, accident insurance has been implemented for gig workers in Telangana .
The Congress government had issued orders on December 30, 2023 to provide accident insurance of `5 lakh in case of death of gig and platform workers. The Chief Minister asserted that the law for the welfare of gig workers should also be a role model for the country.
Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar, Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, CM's Advisor Vem Narender Reddy, State Planning Board vice-chairman G. Chinna Reddy, Chief Secretary A Santhi Kumari, special chief secretaries K Ramakrishna Rao, Jayesh Ranjan and senior officials of various departments participated in the meeting.