Rahul Gandhi promises social security, insurance cover for gig workers in Telangana

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy along with Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Gig Wiorkers launches the Telangana Gig Workers Social Security and Welfare Scheme at Hitech City, Hyderabad on Saturday, as part of the Bharat Summit, to ensure social security and welfare for gig workers in Telangana.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi announced a series of social security measures for gig workers in Telangana, including accident insurance of ₹5 lakh, health insurance of ₹10 lakh, dedicated Wi-Fi-enabled rest zones and a mechanism to ensure that 1% of every transaction is credited towards their social security.

Addressing gig workers, Mr. Gandhi said the Congress government in Telangana was fulfilling its promise to protect workers engaged in the platform-based economy and ensure that they received their fair share of the benefits generated by their labour.

Describing the 21st century as the age of data, Mr. Gandhi pointed out that while companies such as Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Uber operated on data, gig workers had so far been denied access to information about their own work.

Under the proposed legislation, workers would be able to access complete details of their transactions, deliveries, working hours, and payments through their mobile phones. “The data belongs to you, the labour is yours, but you were not even allowed to see your own data,” he said.

He said the government would also establish dedicated, Wi-Fi-enabled rest zones in Hyderabad and other cities to enable delivery personnel and other gig workers to park their vehicles, rest and relax during working hours.

Announcing insurance benefits, Mr Gandhi said every gig worker would receive ₹5 lakh in accident insurance and ₹10 lakh in health insurance. A social security contribution mechanism under which 1% of every transaction, including deliveries and cab rides, would be contributed towards the workers’ future security.

The amount would be collected from companies and routed through the Gig Workers’ Board before being transferred directly to the workers’ bank accounts, he said.

Drawing a political distinction between the Congress and the BJP-RSS, Mr. Gandhi alleged that the latter wanted to turn gig workers into bonded labourers while allowing large corporate houses and platform companies to reap the benefits. In contrast, the Congress believed that workers were the foundation of the country’s economy and should be treated as partners.

“Do not be afraid. The Telangana Government, Rahul Gandhi, Revanth Reddy, and the Congress team stand with you. We want to make you partners and ensure protection for you and your families,” he said.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said the Congress government had fulfilled the promise made by Rahul Gandhi to gig workers in Telangana by bringing in legislation to protect their rights and provide them with social security.

Speaking at an event in the presence of Mr. Rahul Gandhi, the Chief Minister recalled that during the Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir in 2023, which covered nearly 4,000 km, Mr. Gandhi had understood the difficulties faced by people from different sections of society.

“The Gandhi family stands by its word. A promise made by Rahul Gandhi is as good as a commitment written in golden letters. For us, his word is an instruction,” the Chief Minister said.

Labour Minister Vivek Venkataswamy also spoke on the occasion. Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka, Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar, Komatireddy Venkata Reddy, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and TPCC President Mahesh Kumar Goud were present.

Telangana / Indian National Congress / labour / employment