In a significant move for India's vast informal economy, the state of Karnataka saw a new law for gig workers come into effect in November 2025. This legislation arrives as a contemporary solution for a timeless challenge: securing rights for workers without a single employer, fixed hours, or a common workplace.
The Foundation Laid Decades Ago
Remarkably, the foundational principles for this modern law were established over half a century ago. The architect was Dr. Baba Adhav, a towering trade union leader whose 75 years of work became the blueprint for labor dignity in India's unorganized sector. Tragically, he passed away at age 95 mere weeks after the Karnataka law kicked in, witnessing the fruition of his lifelong struggle.
Adhav's journey began in the early 1950s. He was a young 22-year-old doctor infused with socialist ideals when he started his work in Pune. His mission was clear: to organize the most vulnerable.
Organizing the 'Hamals': The First Gig Workers
Among the first groups Adhav organized were the 'hamals' – headloaders who carried crushing loads on their heads and backs. These migrant workers from rural areas epitomized the precarity the new Karnataka law seeks to address.
Their work life was harsh and insecure. They had no fixed employer, moving from shop to shop to negotiate rates for each job. The physically brutal nature of their labor meant extremely short working lives, with no safety net to fall back on during illness or injury. For them, the three essential pillars of workers' rights were missing:
- Fair Wages
- Safe Working Conditions
- Social Security
Adhav's work with the hamals laid the groundwork for recognizing and fighting for the rights of such unstructured, on-demand labor – a reality that now defines India's gig economy.
A Legacy for Contemporary India's Workforce
Baba Adhav's principles have never been more relevant. Today, over 90% of India's workforce is in the unorganized sector, with millions in gig and platform jobs facing similar uncertainties as the Pune hamals of the 1950s. The Karnataka legislation is a direct descendant of his vision, attempting to institutionalize protection for those outside traditional employment models.
The law's activation marks a pivotal moment, translating decades of grassroots mobilization into concrete policy. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of Adhav's first principles: that labor dignity, fair compensation, and social security are universal rights, irrespective of the nature of the employment contract.
