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The Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers (IFAT) and Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy (Vidhi) have formally submitted their recommendations to the Jharkhand government concerning the Jharkhand Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill, 2024.

The Bill, which was opened for public commentary on July 1, 2024, aims to protect the rights of platform-based gig workers, establish a welfare board, and introduce a fee to fund social security initiatives for these workers.

Representatives from various unions, civil society organisations, and researchers collaborated to draft the suggestions. Key contributors included Shaik Salauddin from the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union, Sangam Tripathy from IFAT, Alok Prasanna Kumar from Vidhi, and Surendra Singh from the Jharkhand Pradesh Taxi Union.

The joint letter from IFAT and Vidhi praised the Jharkhand government’s proactive steps in safeguarding gig workers’ rights and making the Bill’s draft publicly accessible for feedback. The organisations emphasised the importance of the Bill in setting a global standard for gig workers’ rights and called for clear articulation of these rights within the legislation.

The letter outlined several key considerations:

1. Global standard setting: The Bill should aspire to be a model for gig worker rights not just in India, but worldwide.
2. Clear rights definition: The rights of gig workers should be explicitly stated in the legislation, with specific details to be elaborated in the rules.
3. Algorithm transparency: Laws should regulate non-transparent algorithms that may lead to arbitrary decisions affecting workers.
4. Tripartite model: The welfare of unorganised sector workers should be protected through a tripartite model that informs the Board’s functioning, law enforcement, and scheme funding.
5. Effective implementation: The law should be designed for immediate and effective implementation by the state government, ensuring constitutional clarity.

Earlier this month, the Karnataka government released a draft of the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2024. This proposed legislation aims to protect gig workers’ rights through the creation of a welfare board, fund, and grievance cell.

The Labour Department outlined the Bill’s objectives, including ensuring social security, occupational health, safety, and transparency in automated systems. The welfare board will include government officials, aggregator representatives, gig workers, and a civil society member.

Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad confirmed discussions with stakeholders including Flipkart and Swiggy, with a consensus on a transactional revenue model. The Bill is expected to be tabled in the next assembly session.