Hyderabad: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has called on Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to draft an effective law for gig workers, urging the state government to conduct state-wide public consultations. In a letter to the Chief Minister, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha emphasized the importance of incorporating feedback from all stakeholders to ensure that the proposed legislation is robust, effective, and meaningful.
“Hearing from all parties will ensure that the law is robust, effective, and meaningful. The process can also help anchor future regulations for this sector,” Rahul Gandhi wrote in the letter dated November 11. He also offered to be part of the consultative process, expressing his confidence that Telangana could lead the way in creating a sustainable gig economy for the future.
On Wednesday, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy shared the letter on the social media platform ‘X’, responding positively to Gandhi’s suggestion. He assured that the state government would make the gig workers’ policy comprehensive, inclusive, and fair, in line with Rahul Gandhi’s vision. “All of our work is inspired by your vision, ideas, and work. It gives us more energy that the Telangana Caste Survey has made you feel proud. We will make the Telangana State Gig Workers’ Policy comprehensive, inclusive, fair, and pioneering, in line with your vision & promise,” the Chief Minister wrote.
In his letter, Rahul Gandhi reiterated Congress’s commitment to the welfare of workers, particularly those in contractual and gig roles. He pointed out that the party’s manifesto had promised to frame a law to protect gig workers and enhance their social security. Gandhi also praised Congress-led Rajasthan for becoming the first state to legislate for the welfare of gig workers.
“I am pleased that you too are moving forward with a draft law, honouring our guarantee to the people of Telangana, and offer a suggestion,” Rahul Gandhi added. He recalled his interaction with gig workers in Hyderabad during the Assembly elections campaign last year and expressed his appreciation for the state’s consultative process for the socio-economic, educational, employment, political, and caste surveys. Gandhi suggested that Revanth Reddy adopt a similar approach for the draft legislation, allowing for direct input from the people.
Highlighting the rapid growth of the gig economy over the past decade, Gandhi noted that the sector had provided many workers with flexible employment opportunities, particularly in low-skilled roles. He acknowledged the sector’s success in offering viable livelihoods for workers who, in the absence of alternative job opportunities, had benefited from the market access and income-generating potential of the gig economy.
However, the Congress leader also addressed the vulnerabilities that gig workers face due to the nature of their employment. “The absence of regulations further diminished their ability to negotiate or demand fair terms of work,” he said, adding that issues such as exploitative work conditions, predatory pricing, and a lack of grievance redressal mechanisms must be urgently addressed. He also noted that gig workers often face social discrimination and inhumane treatment in their daily work, calling for these challenges to be tackled through the proposed legislation.