In a move aimed at enhancing the welfare of gig workers across Karnataka, the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced plans to introduce the Gig Workers’ Welfare Act. The proposed legislation includes the establishment of a dedicated welfare board, akin to the existing board for construction workers.
A high-level delegation comprising Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Labour Minister Santhosh Lad, Information Technology Minister Priyank Kharge, and Industries Minister MB Patil, met with Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi at his Delhi residence to finalise the framework for the bill's implementation. The discussions were part of the government's commitment made during the Bharat Jodo Yatra and recent elections.
Labour Minister Santhosh Lad told the media that the government intends to table the bill in the cabinet and implement the Act through an ordinance.
Key provisions of the Act include the establishment of a Gig Workers’ Welfare Board to oversee the welfare of workers employed by prominent companies such as Amazon, Flipkart, Ola, Uber, and others. Funding for welfare schemes will be sourced from a 5% cess on these companies, supplemented by state government contributions.
The Gig Workers’ Welfare Bill was a key poll promise of the Congress party during the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha campaign. A draft of the Bill was published in July 2024, with plans to table it during the monsoon session in Belagavi later that year. However, the process was put on hold after industry associations raised objections to several provisions and sought additional time to provide feedback.
