Karnataka govt forms working group to determine quantum of welfare fee for gig workers
Bengaluru: In a significant step towards securing the rights of gig workers, the Karnataka government has constituted a multi-stakeholder working group to determine the quantum of fee to be levied towards securing the welfare of gig workers.
The working group comprises representatives from trade unions, legal experts, officials from the Department of Labour, and representatives of major e-Commerce companies, as reported by Deccan Herald on Wednesday.
The Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Ordinance proposes levying a 1-5% charge per transaction as welfare fee for the workers. However, it does not stipulate an exact percentage of the welfare fee to be charged for the various kinds of private players operating in this domain such as Swiggy, Zomato, Ola, among others.
The working group will also frame the rules for utilisation of the welfare fund, including guidelines for social security schemes and defining eligibility criteria for gig workers to access these benefits. The development comes amid growing calls for stronger protection mechanisms for gig workers, including by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, who has long advocated for such a welfare initiative. The Congress party had included this proposal in its manifesto for the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections.
The state government has already published the draft rules for the ordinance, DH reported. One of the key provisions mandates aggregators to establish internal dispute resolution committees. These bodies will allow terminated gig workers to appeal against their removal within seven days, and require companies to resolve such appeals within 15 days.
In addition, the draft rules call for the creation of a welfare board, comprising gig workers, industry representatives, and government officials. The board will be empowered to set and enforce standards for occupational safety and health in the sector.
To complement the regulatory framework, the government has also formed a second, 13-member group tasked with developing the necessary IT infrastructure. This team will oversee the registration of both gig workers and aggregators, and will implement measures for grievance redressal.
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KSRTC to run 1000 special services to clear Christmas rush
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation will operate 1000 additional special services in view of the Christmas festival.
In addition to the existing schedule, the special services will run on 19.12.2025, 20.12.2025 and 24.12.2025. Further, special buses will be operated from various places of intra & Interstate places to Bengaluru on 26.12.2025 & 28.12.2025.
Special buses will be exclusively operated from Bengaluru Kempegowda Bus Station to Dharmastala, Kukkesubramanya, Shivamogga, Hassan, Mangaluru, Kundapura, Shringeri, Horanadu, Davangere, Hubbali, Dharwad, Belagavi, Vijayapura, Gokarna, Sirsi, Karwar, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Ballari, Koppala, Yadgir, Bidar, Tirupathi, Vijayawada, Hyderabad and other places.
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Special buses from Mysuru Road Bus Station will be exclusively operated towards Mysuru, Hunsur, Piriyapatna, Virajpet, Kushalanagar, Madikeri.
The corporation has also announced a discount of 5 per cent on the fare if four or more passengers book tickets under a single reservation. A discount of 10 per cent will be extended on return journey tickets if onward and return tickets are booked simultaneously.
In addition to the above, special buses will be operated from all Taluk/District Bus Stands in the jurisdiction of KSRTC based on the traffic needs.
