In a bold move to secure India’s gig workforce, Maharashtra’s Labour Minister Aakash Fundkar mandated a detailed regulatory blueprint during a Tuesday inter-departmental conclave, focusing on verification and safety for delivery and platform workers serving online customers.
The framework targets flawless service delivery within legal bounds, spotlighting verification processes amid rising concerns over unvetted personnel. Companies providing home services via gig partners often rely on opaque online registrations and external verification firms, prompting government scrutiny.
Key deliberations covered the legal standing of third-party verifiers, procedural legitimacy, and holistic safeguards for users and workers alike. Fundkar was unequivocal: firms labeling workers as ‘partners’ bear total accountability for thorough background probes and security measures.
Coordination across departments will craft a holistic strategy, encompassing vehicle commercialization for deliveries. Stringent regulations are imperative for gig staff in food and grocery apps, where indirect hiring via agencies erodes traditional employment ties and responsibility lines.
Current requirements include identity proofs, financial details, licenses, insurances, and labor registrations, but a standardized code is non-negotiable. This policy shift promises to professionalize the gig sector, mitigate risks, and build a safer ecosystem for Maharashtra’s digital service economy.
