Gig workers demand model law, labour rights, social security

The National Coordination Committee on Gig Workers, an umbrella organisation of several unions working among gig and platform workers, on July 27 protested in front of Parliament and demanded the Centre for a model law for the sector so that these workers get social and job security. Explained | Blinkit protests and the legal remedies available to gig workers In their demand charter submitted to Union Labour Minister Bhupender Yadav, the NCCGW said about 12 million gig and platform workers are facing systematic exploitation, wage theft, illegal termination, mental torture and unfair labour practices at the hands of digital platforms. “We demand the guarantee of basic benefits such as ESIC and PF as a large proportion of gig workers are working full-time for platforms and rely solely on them for livelihood,” they added. Platform companies are arbitrarily and unfairly terminating a large number of gig workers without adequate reasons, while continuously recruiting new gig workers, the memorandum added and said every platform must set up a tripartite committee consisting of representation from gig workers, platform employers as well as government functionaries.