Telangana to set up welfare board for gig workers, draft new protection policy

Hyderabad: The Telangana government has announced that it will soon establish a welfare board for platform-based gig workers and introduce a comprehensive policy for their welfare and protection.

The decision was announced by Minister for Labour and Employment Vivek Venkataswamy during a high-level stakeholder consultation held in Hyderabad on Thursday.

The move is expected to benefit thousands of gig and platform workers across the state, including drivers, delivery partners and home-based service workers.

Consultation brings stakeholders together

The meeting brought together a wide range of participants, including worker unions, platform companies, labour experts and government officials.

Among the most active voices was that of Shaik Salauddin, Founder and National General Secretary of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers’ Union (TGPWU), who has been at the forefront of advocating for the rights of gig economy workers.

“TGPWU welcomes the government’s commitment, but we made it clear in today’s meeting, policies alone are not enough. We need enforceable rights, fair pay structures and strong worker representation at every stage,” said Salauddin, speaking to NewsMeter.

He added that drivers, delivery partners and home-based gig workers continue to face unstable earnings and lack access to social protection.

“These workers are the backbone of urban convenience and mobility, yet their incomes remain unpredictable and their rights uncertain. The upcoming policy and Board must address these issues with urgency,” he said.

Key demands by TGPWU

During the consultation, the TGPWU presented a detailed charter of demands outlining the core needs of gig workers.

The major demands include:

- Minimum wage guarantee for all platform-based workers, ensuring a baseline income for drivers, delivery agents and service providers.

- Legal recognition and mandatory registration of gig workers under the new policy to enable access to social security and welfare benefits.

- Algorithmic transparency from platform companies to make task allocation, payment calculation, and account suspension processes fair and accountable.

- Tripartite board structure that includes equal representation from workers, platform companies, and the government.

- Creation of a dedicated welfare fund, supported jointly by contributions from platform companies, the government, and workers.

Government vows progressive policy

Minister Vivek Venkataswamy assured participants that Telangana’s policy would be ‘one of the most progressive in the country,’ developed through continuous engagement with unions like TGPWU.

“The government wants to ensure that gig and platform workers receive fair treatment, security and recognition. The welfare board will serve as an institutional mechanism to protect their rights,” the Minister said.

Officials from the Labour Department added that the draft framework will include welfare provisions such as access to insurance, health schemes, pension coverage and mechanisms for grievance redressal.

A step toward formal recognition

Telangana is among the few Indian states moving toward institutional recognition of gig and platform workers through a dedicated welfare board.

Experts say the initiative could serve as a model for other states if it effectively integrates worker representation, social protection measures, and accountability mechanisms for platform companies.

The Labour Department is expected to release the draft policy for public consultation in the coming weeks.