The state of Telangana has released the draft of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Bill to provide welfare, job security, insurance facilities and other rights to workers.
The government has instructed officials to make necessary arrangements and put the draft bill in the public domain to seek public opinion before finalising it.
- Gig worker definition: According to the bill, a "gig worker" is a person who performs work or participates in a work arrangement and earns income from such activities outside of a traditional employer-employee relationship, and who works under a contract that results in a specified rate of pay based on the terms and conditions set forth in such contract, including all piece-rate work.
- Establishment of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Welfare Board: platform and worker representatives, government officials and other experts will provide input as required. The Board's responsibilities include registering workers and aggregators, implementing social security schemes, monitoring welfare fund contributions and formulating group-specific schemes (e.g. for women, persons with disabilities).
- Self-registration of gig and platform workers: Each worker will be given a unique identification number (UID) that is valid across platforms. Aggregators must register this information with the Board within 45 days, with details published on a public portal.
- Establishment of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Social Security and Welfare Fund: The fund, which consists of welfare fund fees (1-2% of payouts per transaction, collected from aggregators), employee contributions to specific schemes, government grants, CSR funds, donations and other sources, supports social security benefits.
- Platform obligations: Inform workers about automated monitoring and decision-making systems; prevent discrimination on the basis of religion, race, caste, gender, place of birth or disability; terminate workers only with valid reason(s) in writing and with seven days' notice; comply with applicable sector-specific occupational health and safety standards; appoint a Grievance Redressal Officer to deal with workers' grievances relating to entitlements and benefits and resolve them within 30 days; set up an internal dispute resolution committee to resolve disputes if it has more than 100 workers; submit annual returns and the board prepare an annual activity report for the state legislature.
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