Maharashtra Labour Minister Akash Phundkar has instructed the development of a detailed plan to ensure the safety and legality of services provided by gig and delivery workers. This initiative aims to enhance worker verification processes and uphold service quality standards. The directive was issued during a collaborative meeting involving the Labour and Home Departments.
Various companies in the delivery and service sectors engage delivery partners for offering convenient doorstep services. Currently, these firms rely on online registrations and third-party verification agencies for background checks. The recent meeting delved into the legal authority and safety aspects of these verification processes.
Minister Phundkar emphasized that companies designating gig and platform workers as “partners” must take full accountability for their background screenings and safety measures. He urged the coordination of all relevant departments to devise a comprehensive strategy, including aspects like registering commercial vehicles used for deliveries.
The meeting underscored the necessity for stringent regulations governing gig and platform workers in online delivery services. Many aggregator companies in Maharashtra operate through online platforms and engage workers via third-party agencies, leading to a lack of a conventional employer-employee relationship and unclear responsibilities.
Documents such as Aadhaar, PAN, bank details, driving licenses, vehicle papers, insurance, and e-Shram registration are currently mandatory. However, the meeting stressed the need for a standardized regulatory framework to streamline requirements. Minister Phundkar proposed that all gig workers be registered with the Cyber Department and carry QR-code-based identity cards for customer verification.
Additionally, the discussions encompassed the implementation of accident insurance, social security schemes, and an effective grievance redressal system. To enhance safety for female passengers, a feature enabling women to opt for female drivers was recommended. Companies were also advised to conduct regular audits of gig workers’ activities and report any suspicious incidents to the police.
Minister Phundkar highlighted the significance of citizen safety in the evolving digital distribution landscape of the state. Consequently, he mandated the establishment of a transparent policy framework for gig and platform workers in collaboration with the Home Department.
