The Crossbill News Desk
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday (May 29) lauded the Karnataka government's decision to issue an ordinance aimed at safeguarding the rights of gig workers, calling it a "historic" move that reflects the party’s commitment to dignity and justice for platform-based workers.
In a post on X, Gandhi wrote, “Our Congress government in Karnataka has taken a historic step by issuing an ordinance that guarantees rights, dignity, and protection to gig workers. These workers bring us food, deliver essentials, and drive us safely — in the heat, cold, and rain. Yet too often, they are blocked from their apps without explanation, denied sick leave, and paid according to opaque algorithms. We are changing that.”
The Karnataka Platform Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Ordinance, 2025, seeks to provide essential protections to gig workers employed by major platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, Zomato, Swiggy, Ola, Uber, and Dunzo.
The ordinance proposes the creation of a welfare board and a dedicated social security fund. The fund will be financed in part through a 1 to 5 percent cess levied on each transaction carried out through these platforms.
Also read: Karnataka Notifies Ordinance to Safeguard Gig Workers' Rights
The ordinance guarantees gig workers access to social security benefits such as health insurance, education support, and financial protection during periods of unemployment, sickness, maternity, or work-related injuries.
It also aims to ensure fair contracts, transparency in algorithmic pay structures, and an end to arbitrary deactivation of workers from apps.
Gandhi drew attention to his earlier interactions with gig workers during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, recalling their demand for rights and recognition: “Rating nahi, haq chaahiye, Insaan hai hum, ghulaam nahi.”
These words, he said, left a lasting impact and reaffirmed the party’s pledge to institutionalize protections for workers in the platform economy.
He further praised similar legislative efforts in Rajasthan and said Telangana is expected to follow suit.
“This is how technology should serve people — driving innovation and justice. Rajasthan showed the way. Karnataka has acted. Telangana is next,” Gandhi said.
The ordinance stems from a high-level meeting held last month between Gandhi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Labour Minister Santosh Lad. The discussion focused on the implementation of the Gig Workers’ Welfare Act, one of the Congress party’s key promises during the Bharat Jodo Yatra and its state election campaign.
Gandhi emphasized that as digital platforms reshape work relationships, it is essential that workers’ rights remain central to this transformation.
“This is our vision — and we will take it to every state, and to the nation,” Gandhi,” he declared.
In a post on X, Gandhi wrote, “Our Congress government in Karnataka has taken a historic step by issuing an ordinance that guarantees rights, dignity, and protection to gig workers. These workers bring us food, deliver essentials, and drive us safely — in the heat, cold, and rain. Yet too often, they are blocked from their apps without explanation, denied sick leave, and paid according to opaque algorithms. We are changing that.”
The Karnataka Platform Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Ordinance, 2025, seeks to provide essential protections to gig workers employed by major platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, Zomato, Swiggy, Ola, Uber, and Dunzo.
The ordinance proposes the creation of a welfare board and a dedicated social security fund. The fund will be financed in part through a 1 to 5 percent cess levied on each transaction carried out through these platforms.
Also read: Karnataka Notifies Ordinance to Safeguard Gig Workers' Rights
The ordinance guarantees gig workers access to social security benefits such as health insurance, education support, and financial protection during periods of unemployment, sickness, maternity, or work-related injuries.
It also aims to ensure fair contracts, transparency in algorithmic pay structures, and an end to arbitrary deactivation of workers from apps.
Gandhi drew attention to his earlier interactions with gig workers during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, recalling their demand for rights and recognition: “Rating nahi, haq chaahiye, Insaan hai hum, ghulaam nahi.”
These words, he said, left a lasting impact and reaffirmed the party’s pledge to institutionalize protections for workers in the platform economy.
“रेटिंग नहीं, हक़ चाहिए”
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 29, 2025
“इंसान हैं हम, ग़ुलाम नहीं”
भारत जोड़ो यात्रा के दौरान जब मैं गिग वर्कर्स से मिला, तो ये शब्द मेरे दिल में उतर गए।
कर्नाटक की कांग्रेस सरकार ने एक ऐतिहासिक कदम उठाया है — एक ऐसा अध्यादेश लाया है जो गिग वर्कर्स को अधिकार, सुरक्षा और सम्मान देता है।
ये… pic.twitter.com/2IVQUXSqZo
He further praised similar legislative efforts in Rajasthan and said Telangana is expected to follow suit.
“This is how technology should serve people — driving innovation and justice. Rajasthan showed the way. Karnataka has acted. Telangana is next,” Gandhi said.
The ordinance stems from a high-level meeting held last month between Gandhi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Labour Minister Santosh Lad. The discussion focused on the implementation of the Gig Workers’ Welfare Act, one of the Congress party’s key promises during the Bharat Jodo Yatra and its state election campaign.
Gandhi emphasized that as digital platforms reshape work relationships, it is essential that workers’ rights remain central to this transformation.
“This is our vision — and we will take it to every state, and to the nation,” Gandhi,” he declared.
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