Welfare fund to accident insurance: CM Revanth calls for incorporating social security provisions in gig workers bill

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has directed officials to include a dedicated welfare fund, accident insurance, and health coverage in the proposed Gig and Platform Workers Welfare Bill.

At a review meeting at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister emphasised that comprehensive data on gig workers must be maintained online to ensure transparency and effective policy implementation.

First-of-its-kind legal framework

The draft legislation is aimed at offering legal recognition and improved social security to thousands of gig workers across Telangana.

Officials briefed the CM that the proposed policy includes setting up a welfare board with state government representation to oversee the implementation of welfare schemes for these workers.

Revanth Reddy suggested expanding the scope of the bill to better address the evolving needs of the gig economy. If enacted, it will be one of the first state-level legal frameworks for gig and platform workers in India.

TGPWU raises strong objections

However, the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers’ Union (TGPWU) has criticised the draft Telangana Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration, Social Security & Welfare) Bill, 2025, for failing to guarantee minimum wages to workers.

In a statement, TGPWU founder-president Shaik Salauddin said, “During the 2023 Assembly elections, the ruling party promised social protection, income security, and fairness in platform work. A bill without minimum wage protection is a betrayal of gig workers.”

Union demands minimum wage commitment

The union urged CM Revanth Reddy and IT Minister D Sridhar Babu to publicly commit to ensuring minimum wages for all gig and platform workers.

It also called for stronger regulation of platform payouts, deductions, and work hours, alongside empowering the proposed welfare board to enforce income standards.