Maharashtra: Gig workers decry lack of consideration in party election manifestos

Gig workers in the state are demanding better working conditions, social security benefits, and recognition of their rights as workers. They are also seeking protection from exploitation by platform companies. However, it remains to be seen whether political parties in Maharashtra will address these concerns and include gig workers in their manifestos.

Nisha Pawar, a woman gig worker and Maharashtra in-charge of the Gig and Platforms Service Workers Union (GIPSWU), a women-led union, recalled the recent death of a single mother gig worker from Telangana. She said the worker died last week due to alleged torture and blacklisting by the company she had worked for over five years after participating in strikes against it.

Pawar emphasised the plight of single mothers and women gig workers, saying, “The number of single mothers in this field is substantial. Women gig workers are particularly vulnerable and require immediate attention. This is no longer just about survival; it’s about life and death.”

“This tragic death reminds us of the urgent need for social security for women in the state and for government vigilance over app-based companies to prevent the exploitation of women workers from becoming the new normal. As no political party has addressed gig workers’ concerns in Maharashtra, we will approach the judiciary to push for a law in the state,” she added.

Sainath J, coordinator of the All India Gig Workers Union (AIGWU) in Pune, stressed the importance of recognising gig workers as workers rather than partners. “The government must act to treat gig workers as workers under labour laws. The term ‘partner’ misrepresents them and excludes them from legal protections,” he said.

Sainath added that alongside socio-economic demands such as pensions, dearness allowances, minimum wages and the establishment of a welfare board for workers, gig workers should also have access to electric bikes at subsidised prices. “To bring financial stability to gig workers’ lives, they should be provided with EV bikes at subsidised rates along with quick charging points. This will help them save on fuel costs and contribute to reducing pollution,” he said.

Keshav Kshirsagar, spokesperson of India Gig Workers Front (IGWF) said that their union had written to several political leaders urging them to include gig workers’ concerns in their manifestos, but no party has responded. “It has been almost a year since RTO and RTA announced revised fares for ride-hailing companies in Pune, but none of these companies have adhered to the rates,” he said.

Kshirsagar also called for the introduction of a state-level Gig Workers’ Act, similar to initiatives in other states like Rajasthan and Karnataka, to ensure proper policies for the welfare of gig workers.

In January this year, the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) announced new fares to be followed by aggregator companies. However, these companies in Pune continue to operate without permits from the authorities. The case is pending before the State Appellate Tribunal (SAT), which will decide whether to grant them permits. Meanwhile, the RTO’s stance remains unclear, leaving questions about the legality of the companies’ operations until the final decision is issued.