Karnataka Constitutes Platform-Based Gig Workers’ Welfare Board

Context

• On January 27, 2026, the Karnataka government issued a notification constituting the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers Welfare Development Board under the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare Development) Act, 2025.
• This step operationalizes the Act (enacted in 2025, following an earlier Ordinance in May 2025) to implement welfare measures for gig workers through a dedicated statutory body.

Read: Gig Workers in India: Legal Status, Statistical Visibility, and Policy Challenges

Composition of the Board

• Ex-officio President: Karnataka’s Labour Minister.
• Ex-officio Members: Senior officials from the Labour Department, Department of Information Technology, and Commercial Taxes Department.
• Member Secretary: Chief Executive Officer of the Board.
• Representatives from Gig Workers: Four members from unions such as United Food Delivery Partners Union, Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers, All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), and Ola Uber Drivers and Owners Association.
• Representatives from Aggregator Platforms: Four members, including nominees from Porter, Zomato, Uber, and Amazon.

Read: Gig Workers, Labour Law, and the Illusion of Contractual Freedom

Key Provisions and Implementation

• Mandatory Registration
  • Both aggregator platforms and gig workers must register with the Board.
  • Aggregators have 45 days to complete registration and furnish details of all gig workers engaged through their platforms.
  • Each registered gig worker receives a unique identification number for disbursal of social security benefits.
• Welfare Fund Sources
  • Welfare fee collected from aggregator platforms.
  • Contributions from gig workers (as applicable).
  • Grants from State and Central governments.
• Welfare Fee Structure
  • Initial levy: 1% to 1.5% on aggregator platforms (sector- and model-specific, with a cap).
  • Low initial rate to avoid immediate financial burden on platforms while building the fund.
  • Future revision: Up to a maximum of 5% if collections prove insufficient for extending benefits (subject to Board assessment).

Significance

• Karnataka becomes one of the pioneering states (after Rajasthan in 2023 and alongside similar efforts in Bihar) to establish a tripartite statutory board for gig workers’ welfare.
• Addresses vulnerabilities of platform-based gig workers (e.g., food delivery, ride-hailing, logistics) by ensuring registration, unique IDs, and access to social security schemes.
• Aligns with the Code on Social Security, 2020 (which recognizes gig workers nationally but leaves implementation to states).
• Promotes balanced representation from government, workers’ unions, and platforms for inclusive policy-making and grievance redressal.

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