Gig workers’ union plans to contest four Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra

“Before contesting the elections, we will urge political parties to consider listing our demands in their manifestos… we will nominate our candidates from Pune, Shirur, Baramati, and Maval constituencies in Pune district,” IGF President Keshav Kshirsagar said.

Other demands include a written assurance from the government on passing the ‘Maharashtra State Gig Workers Act’ and setting up a gig workers welfare board, among others. (File)

Pune-based Indian Gig Workers Front (IGF) has announced its plans to contest four Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra. IGF President Keshav Kshirsagar said that no party in Maharashtra was paying any attention to the issues faced by gig workers such as cab drivers and food delivery executives.

“Due to this negligence, we have decided to field four candidates – a cab driver, an auto driver, a food delivery worker, and a working woman –for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections,” he said.

“Before contesting the elections, we will urge political parties to consider listing our demands in their manifestos… we will nominate our candidates from Pune, Shirur, Baramati, and Maval constituencies in Pune district,” he added.

The union is demanding an increase in the wages of gig workers and a halting of fresh rickshaw permits in the city.

Other demands include a written assurance from the government on passing the ‘Maharashtra State Gig Workers Act’ and setting up a gig workers welfare board, among others.

Cab unions such as Auto Taxi Bus Transport Federation and Maa Saheb Cab Sanstha held a meeting with Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar on Thursday. In the meeting, the unions demanded that fare meters be installed in app cabs like regular taxis.

Shubham Tigga

Shubham Tigga is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, presently based in Pune, where he covers the intersections of infrastructure, labor, and the modern economy. His reporting focuses on civil aviation, urban mobility, the gig economy, and workers' unions, providing critical insights into how transit and commercial sectors impact the daily lives of citizens. Expertise & Background Before moving to Pune, he reported extensively from his home state of Chhattisgarh, where he focused on Indigenous (Adivasi) issues, environmental justice, and grassroots struggles in mainland India. This experience gives him a unique lens through which he analyzes the impact of large-scale infrastructure projects on local communities. Academic Foundation He is an alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), where he honed his skills in investigative reporting and ethical journalism. His academic training, combined with his field experience in Central India, allows him to navigate complex socio-economic landscapes with nuance and accuracy. You can reach out to him on LinkedIn ... Read More

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