Karnataka Gig Workers Bill: Differential Fee on Aggregators
Why in the news
Karnataka worked on a sliding levy on cab-hailing and similar platforms to pay for social security of gig workers.
Key facts
- Fee: 1% to 5% of amounts paid to gig workers; bigger-revenue platforms pay more. The Code on Social Security sets the 5% ceiling.
- Law: the Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill 2024, to be brought through the ordinance route.
- The draft would go public for a month of stakeholder comments before rules are final.
- Levy rollout likely within six months of rules and a payment and verification system being ready.
- A Gig Workers Welfare Board would run schemes and handle the fund.
Context
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Rajasthan | First law for platform workers, July 2023; rules still pending |
| Karnataka | Would be first southern state |
| Political push | Rahul Gandhi discussed it with CM Siddaramaiah in April 2024; he had backed gig workers during the 2022 Bharat Jodo Yatra |
| Telangana | Congress-ruled; obtained a copy of Karnataka’s draft |
Significance
- Revenue-linked contributions fund social security and could set a model for other states.
Exam angle
- Maximum fee under Code on Social Security: 5%.
- First state with a platform workers’ law: Rajasthan.