Telangana Looks to Rajasthan for Gig Workers' Law

Hyderabad - Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has urged Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to enact a comprehensive law for gig workers by incorporating feedback gathered through statewide public consultations.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister on November 11, Gandhi emphasized the importance of hearing from all stakeholders to ensure the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed legislation. He offered his support and participation in the consultative process, expressing confidence that Telangana could lead the way in establishing a sustainable gig economy.

Chief Minister Reddy shared the letter on social media platform 'X' on Wednesday, assuring Gandhi that the state government would strive to create a comprehensive, inclusive, and fair policy for gig workers, aligning with his vision. He highlighted the Telangana Caste Survey as a successful model of direct public consultation and assured that the same approach would be applied to the draft gig workers' law.

Gandhi's letter highlighted the Congress party's commitment to the welfare of workers, particularly those in contractual roles. He cited the party's manifesto commitment to framing a law for gig worker protection and social security enhancement. He praised the Rajasthan government for becoming the first state to legislate for gig workers' welfare and expressed satisfaction with Telangana's initiative to draft a similar law.

During his recent visit to Hyderabad, Gandhi had been impressed by the state's consultative process for the socio-economic, educational, employment, political, and caste survey. He suggested that a similar model be adopted for gathering feedback on the draft gig workers' legislation.

Over the last decade, Gandhi has observed lakhs of workers joining the gig economy. He acknowledged the opportunities and flexibilities it offers, particularly in low-skilled roles. However, he also stressed the vulnerabilities faced by gig workers due to the lack of regulations, including exploitative work conditions, predatory pricing, and an absence of effective grievance redressal mechanisms. He urged the Chief Minister to address these concerns and ensure the protection and well-being of gig workers in Telangana.

(Source- IANS)