Hyderabad: The Telangana Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration, Social Security, and Welfare) Bill, 2026, has been approved by Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla. With this, Telangana becomes the fifth state to adopt such legislation, following Karnataka, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Jharkhand.
Governor's Approval Ahead of May Day
According to reports, the governor granted his approval on Thursday, just a day before May Day, which is observed as International Workers' Day. The timing underscores the government's commitment to worker welfare.
Key Provisions of the Bill
This legislation establishes a social security and welfare board tasked with registering gig workers and ensuring representation for women and persons with disabilities. Each worker will be assigned a unique identification number, enabling direct access to various government schemes.
In a significant shift, aggregators — including delivery services, ride-hailing platforms, and various service apps — will be required to contribute 1 to 2% of their transaction value to a state-managed welfare fund. This fund will be used to support insurance, accident cover, pension schemes, and maternity benefits for workers.
Impact on Gig Workers
The bill aims to provide a safety net for the growing number of gig workers in Telangana, who often lack formal employment benefits. The welfare fund will be managed by a board with representatives from the government, aggregators, and workers.
With this approval, Telangana joins a select group of states that have taken legislative steps to protect gig workers. The move is expected to influence other states to consider similar measures.
