Social Security For Gig Workers:
Karnataka became the second state after Rajasthan to come up with legislation for Gig Workers.
- Through a draft version of the law (Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill), the Karnataka government aims to regulate the social security and welfare of platform-based gig workers in the state by creating a board, welfare fund, and grievance cell among the mechanisms.
Highlights of the Karnataka Bill:
- Creation of Welfare Board: Board comprising Karnataka labour minister, two aggregator officials, two gig workers, and one civil society member to be formed.
- A two-level grievance redressal mechanism for workers, and more transparency with regards to the automated monitoring and decision-making systems deployed by platforms has been envisaged by the draft bill.
- The draft mandates aggregators to make payments at least every week and to inform the worker about the reasons for any payment deductions.
- Gig workers can apply to receive a Unique ID applicable across all platforms upon registration with the board.
- Social Security and Grievance Redressal: Access to general and specific social security schemes based on contributions along with a grievance redressal mechanism for gig workers.
- The Bill aims to provide greater autonomy to the gig workers to terminate contracts and resist being over worked by employers.
- The aggregator shall not terminate a worker without giving valid reasons in writing and prior notice of 14 days.
- There is a mandate for aggregators to maintain a safe working environment for gig workers.
- Proposed fund financed by a welfare fee from aggregators along with state and worker contributions.
- Basic penalty of Rs 5,000 extendable up to Rs 1 lakh for aggregators violating conditions under the Bill.
Gig Workers:
- As per the Code on Social Security 2020, a gig worker is a person who performs work or participates in a gig work arrangement and earns from such activities outside of traditional employer-employee relationship.
