Karnataka Government to Establish Gig Workers’ Welfare Board
The Karnataka government has decided to establish a Gig Workers’ Welfare Board to ensure the well-being of workers employed by companies like Amazon and Flipkart.
The Karnataka government has decided to establish a Gig Workers’ Welfare Board, following a discussion between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi. The board aims to support workers employed by companies like Amazon, Flipkart, Ola, and Uber by collecting a five per cent cess from these companies. The remaining funds required for welfare schemes will be provided by the state government.
A comprehensive bill covering all aspects of gig workers' welfare will be prepared and presented before the state cabinet for approval. Three gig worker representatives were invited to the meeting and expressed their appreciation for the government's initiative.
State Ministers Santosh Lad, Priyank Kharge, and M B Patil were also present at the meeting. Lad welcomed the eight-point proposal prepared by the Labour Department, emphasizing the need for swift implementation to safeguard gig workers' interests.
The Karnataka Labour Department has already introduced three key bills covering various worker rights, and the unorganized worker sector has praised the government's efforts in this regard.