Telangana Gig Workers Bill: Protect workers from algorithmic exploitation, urge experts

The suggestions were submitted jointly by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU), Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers (IFAT), and Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy (Vidhi), following a two-day consultation with lawyers, researchers and grassroots labour groups from across the country.

What does the draft bill state?

The draft Telangana Gig and Platform Workers (Registration, Social Security and Welfare) Act, 2025, made public for feedback on April 16, proposes mandatory registration of workers, a tripartite welfare board, and the creation of a dedicated welfare fund.

While many have welcomed the move as a step toward recognising the informal labour behind digital platforms, gig workers and their advocates are calling for more precision, accountability and long-term enforceability in the law.

Workers call for clarity, accountability

In their submission to the commissioner of the Labour Department, the unions and policy experts said that while the bill shows commendable intent, its impact will depend on the clarity of definitions, the transparency of enforcement mechanisms, and the actual power given to workers.

“We believe Telangana has an opportunity here to pass a law that will be globally recognised as an important measure to protect the interests of these workers in the context of the platform economy,” said Shaik Salauddin, founder president of TGPWU and national general secretary of IFAT.

The collective submission called for the removal of the term ‘primary employer,’ which they argue could create confusion regarding responsibility for workers’ welfare. They also recommended that the term ‘aggregator' be used consistently throughout the bill instead of alternating with ‘platform,’ to avoid ambiguity.

The submission also emphasised that worker rights must be clearly outlined in the legislation itself and not deferred to later rule-making. It raised concerns over the increasing use of algorithmic systems by platforms and called for legal checks to prevent arbitrary or opaque decisions made by such technologies.

“The law must protect workers not just from economic insecurity but also from digital exploitation — and that means being bold about regulating algorithms, work conditions, and grievance redressal,” added Salauddin.

A nationwide effort

The submission was endorsed by a wide range of organisations and individuals from across the country. Contributors included trade union leaders, labour rights lawyers, academic researchers, and members of civil society organisations such as IT for Change, Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS), and the Centre for Internet and Society.

“The fact that so many stakeholders — from cab unions to tech policy experts — have co-signed this submission speaks to how important and overdue this legislation is,” said Alok Prasanna Kumar, co-founder of Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy.

Among the contributors were Biju Mathew of the International Alliance for App-based Transport Workers, Nikhil Dey of MKSS, labour lawyer Gayatri Singh, Professor Balaji Parthasarathy of Fairwork India, and researchers from institutions including IIT Hyderabad, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Oxford.

Congress backs the bill

The legislation has received support from the Congress party, which currently governs Telangana. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh described the draft bill as a meaningful effort toward economic and social justice.

“The Congress government in Telangana is set to introduce legislation to protect and support the 4.2 lakh gig workers in the state. Key provisions include mandatory registration of gig workers by aggregators, a tripartite board comprising workers, aggregators, and the government to monitor welfare, and a welfare fund to be administered by the board.”

He also noted that Telangana follows Rajasthan and Karnataka in introducing such legislation, both under Congress-led governments.

“In each case, it is only Congress governments that have secured justice and fair working conditions for lakhs of gig workers,” Ramesh said, adding that Shramik Nyay (justice for workers) continues to be central to the party’s vision.

Setting a precedent

If passed, Telangana’s law will mark a significant milestone in formalising protections for gig and platform workers in India’s growing digital economy. Labour unions hope it will set a precedent for other states and lead to a national framework in the future.

“We are grateful that the draft Bill was made public and that the government is inviting suggestions. This collaborative spirit is essential if we are to build a law that truly reflects the needs and realities of platform workers,” said Salauddin.

The Labour Department is expected to review the public inputs and finalise the bill for legislative passage in the coming weeks.