Gig Workers' Union in Telangana Wants a Government-Run Ride-Hailing Service

Nitin Konde, Varun Bhardwaj

Nov 22, 2024 — 2 min read

Telangana Gig Workers Demand State-Owned Ride-Hailing Platform

To offer an alternative to commercial platforms, the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) has demanded the creation of a government-run ride-hailing app. Additionally, it called on the government to establish a Welfare Board to provide equitable salaries, social security benefits, and open fare regulation, as well as to enact legislation to safeguard the rights of gig and platform workers.

Shaik Salauddin, the founder and president of TGPWU, urged the state government to give the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers (Rights and Welfare) Bill, 2024, top priority in its drafting and introduction. According to him, the bill would establish a precedent for the protection and empowerment of gig workers nationwide and serve as a model for other states. According to him, the Telangana Congress government will set an example by establishing a strong and welcoming structure to guarantee gig and platform workers stable incomes.

Applauding Rahul Gandhi’s Letter to CM

He praised Rahul Gandhi's letter to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, in which he urged him to enact a comprehensive policy for gig and platform workers, in a statement released on November 20. This development occurs one month after the labour and employment ministry was reported to have initiated the development of a social security framework for contract workers, which is scheduled to be implemented in early 2025.

Furthermore, in September, the Ministry of Labour and Employment urged platform aggregators to register their employees on the e-Shram portal. Upon successful registration, gig and platform workers will be eligible for important social security benefits. Consequently, it is important to mention that the working conditions of contract workers in India have been rated as "zero" by Fairwork in the ratings of ride-hailing companies Ola and Uber, as well as logistics startup Porter.

Drivers Protesting Against Ride Aggregators

The strikes against private ride-hailing services like Ola and Uber have been occurring around the nation on a frequent scale regarding various issues. Drivers of cab aggregators Ola and Uber, for example, went on strike in Chennai in October, calling for pricing regulation and a ban on bike taxi services, which they say are undermining their income.

Additionally, they were looking for a solution to the problem of these aggregators charging exorbitant charges, which they say are hurting their ability to make a living. Before that, in August, auto and taxi drivers in Delhi NCR went on strike for two days to express their disapproval of app-based taxi services like Ola and Uber. They stated that the prevalence of these private apps has negatively impacted their livelihoods by reducing traditional drivers' income and clientele.