Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], November 18 (ANI): Telangana Labour Minister Vivek Venkatswamy announced that the state government is set to introduce the Gig Workers Act, which will provide protection and benefits to gig workers. The proposed legislation will ensure that gig workers are registered and protected from unfair terminations.
The Gig Workers Act will provide protections to gig workers, and the state government plans to pass the bill in the assembly shortly.
“We have done a great deal of exercise on how the Gig Workers Act should be introduced, how gig workers should be protected. We are forming a board. We are ensuring that all the gig workers are registered. Nobody can be terminated just like that, unless there are serious mistakes. The Gig Workers Act will give these protections to the gig workers… Shortly, we are going to pass it in the assembly.” the Minister told reporters on Tuesday.
India’s rapidly growing gig workforce is driving a new wave of economic change across the world. With its half-a-billion-strong labour force, the world’s youngest population, fast-paced urbanisation, and the widespread use of smartphones and digital tools, the country is emerging as a key hub for this transformation, as per the GOI release.
The gig and platform economy is creating fresh opportunities in areas such as ridesharing, delivery services, logistics, and professional work. According to NITI Aayog, the sector expected to employ over 1 crore workers in 2024-25, with the number projected to grow to 2.35 crore by 2029-30.
Earlier, the Code on Social Security, 2020, was passed by Parliament, for the first time defines ‘gig workers’ and ‘platform workers’ and provides measures for their social security. This includes benefits such as life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, and old age protection.
Additionally, Minister Venkatswamy announced that the state government will provide an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakhs to the families of Indian Umrah pilgrims who lost their lives in a bus accident in Saudi Arabia.
Venkatswamy further stated that a high-level team led by Azharuddin will be sent to Saudi Arabia to investigate the incident and provide assistance to the affected families.
“The incident which took place in Saudi Arabia is deeply regrettable. The cabinet has decided to send a high-level team there and also announce an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakhs… The cabinet has deeply expressed its condolences to the families of the deceased. Mr Azharuddin will lead the delegation…”, the Minister added.
At least 45 Indian Umrah pilgrims from Hyderabad and other parts of country, died, and only one survived in a devastating bus fire near Medina in Saudi Arabia, according to the Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar.
Out of the 46 passengers, 45 died after the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames. Only one individual, Md Abdul Shoaib, survived. He is admitted to a Saudi hospital ICU and remains in critical condition.
Addressing the media, Sajjanar said the group was travelling from Makkah to Madinah when their bus collided with an oil tanker nearly 25 km before Medina, causing an explosion that engulfed the vehicle within minutes.
The Telangana Government has announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of each of the deceased. (ANI)
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