Government of Karnataka on August 12, 2025introduced the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2025 (“Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers Bill”), repealing the Karnataka Platform Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Ordinance, 2025. If enacted, the act would be effective retrospectively from May 30, 2025. The bill establishes a Gig Workers Welfare Board, responsible for overseeing registration of gig workers and aggregators, notifying and implementing social security schemes, and managing the Gig Workers Welfare Fund, financed by contributions from aggregators, government grants, and penalties. The bill grants gig workers the right to universal registration with a unique ID valid across platforms, access to social security benefits, transparency in algorithm-driven work allocation and ratings, protection against discrimination, safe working conditions, and weekly compensation without delay. Aggregators must enter into fair, simple, and multilingual contracts, disclose work allocation parameters and personal data usage, provide a human point of contact for grievance resolution, ensure occupational safety standards, and refrain from arbitrary termination. The bill establishes a dedicated grievance redressal mechanism allowing workers to file complaints through a designated officer or web portal, with appeals available within 90 days. Aggregators with over 50 workers are mandated to constitute an Internal Dispute Resolution Committee where workers retain the right to seek remedies under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. Penalties for contravention range from Rs. 5,000/- for the first contravention up to Rs. 1,00,000/- for subsequent contraventions.
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