The Karnataka Platform based gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2024 aims to provide social security and welfare benefits to gig workers operating on various platforms like ridesharing, food delivery and e-commerce.The Act provides definitions for terms like “Aggregator”, “gig workers”, “automated monitoring and decision-making systems“ etc. The Act facilitates the establishment of Karnataka Platform Based gig Workers Welfare Board, and the State Government shall designate member for the board.

Rights for Platform-Based gig Workers

1. Registration and Unique ID: Gig workers will be registered with the state government upon joining any platform, regardless of the work duration, and will receive a unique ID applicable across all platforms.
2. Social Security Access: They will have access to general and specific social security schemes based on their contributions, as notified by the state government.
3. Grievance Redressal: They can access a grievance redressal mechanism as specified in section 23.

Registration of gig workers:

1. Every aggregator must register with the Board within sixty days from the commencement of this Act.
2. The Board will maintain a register of aggregators operating in the State along with name and designation of an officer authorized by the State Government responsible for carrying out obligations.
3. The Board will publish the register of aggregators on its web portal.

The Act mandates that all contracts between aggregators and gig workers must adhere to its provisions. These contracts should be written in clear, easily understandable language and must be available in Kannada, English, or any other language listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. After the contract is signed, the aggregator must inform the gig worker of any changes to the contract terms at least fourteen days before the changes take effect. The gig worker then has the option to terminate the contract without any negative impact on their existing rights under the previous contract. The gig worker can, for valid reasons, decline a certain number of gig work requests per week, as outlined in the contract with the aggregator, without facing any negative repercussions.

Additionally, this act does not affect any existing benefits or protections provided to gig workers under other laws.