Concerns emerge over data sharing, penal provisions in gig workers bill

Hyderabad: As the state govt seeks public feedback on the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers (Registration, Social Security, and Welfare) Draft Bill–2025, one of the primary concerns raised by aggregators is the mandatory requirement to share data related to gig workers and their earnings with the govt.
According to sources, aggregators are also pushing for the decriminalisation of certain provisions in the draft legislation.

The bill mandates that all aggregators register with the newly constituted Gig and Platform Workers' Welfare Board within 45 days of the Act's commencement. Aggregators will be required to contribute between 1% and 5% of their transaction payouts to a dedicated welfare fund. Failure to comply could attract penalties, including fines of up to ₹2 lakh, imprisonment for up to one year, or both. Lesser violations may lead to fines of up to ₹50,000.
The proposed bill introduces a dual registration system: Workers may either self-register or be registered via data provided by aggregators. Aggregators are also expected to ensure transparency by clearly communicating any deductions from workers' pay and guaranteeing timely payments in line with contractual agreements.
Additionally, they are required to disclose the use of any automated systems that could affect workers' earnings or employment.
"Until now, there has been little to no information on how many gig workers each company employs, their working conditions, or the structure of their payments," a source said. "While aggregators are on board with many parts of the bill, mandatory data sharing and the criminalisation of some clauses remain contentious," sources said.
Workers seek minimum pay
On the other hand, gig workers view the bill as a step forward but believe it lacks provisions to guarantee minimum payments per task, which they consider vital for income stability.
"This is a progressive bill, but we need more clarity and assurance on fair baseline pay for every gig—whether it's a ride, delivery, or home service job," said Shaik Salauddin, founder-president of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union. "We are also demanding stronger provisions for grievance redressal mechanisms," he said.