New Delhi, February 7, 2026 — A delegation of transport and delivery gig workers met with Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, here today to highlight their grievances and press for urgent national legislation to safeguard their rights and ensure social security.
The meeting, which lasted approximately half an hour, involved representatives from the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers and employees of platforms such as Urban Company. The delegation included drivers and delivery personnel affiliated with unions like the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union.
Led by figures including Shaik Salauddin, Founder President of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union, the workers detailed their challenges, including low earnings, lack of stable income, arbitrary deactivation of accounts, unsafe working conditions, long hours, and insufficient social protections. They emphasized that while some central government schemes provide limited social security, these are inadequate substitutes for a robust statutory law that guarantees rights, fair wages, and dignity.
The discussions came against the backdrop of an All-India "breakdown" (protest action) announced by app-based transport workers on February 7, aimed at drawing attention to their demands amid ongoing exploitation by aggregator platforms.
Rahul Gandhi listened attentively as the delegation outlined their issues one by one. He reportedly lauded the Congress-led government in Karnataka for pioneering comprehensive legislation in this sector, including the establishment of a social security board for platform-based gig workers—an ordinance hailed as a historic step. Gandhi encouraged swift implementation of similar measures in other Congress-ruled states where promises have been made but progress has stalled in some cases.
Shaik Salauddin, speaking after the meeting, said the interaction was productive. "In Congress-ruled states, and even where we serve as the opposition, election promises made to these workers have been acted upon," he noted. He reiterated the call for a dedicated national law, congratulating Karnataka for leading the way while urging faster action elsewhere.
The gig economy in India, encompassing millions of delivery riders, cab drivers, and service providers on platforms like Zomato, Swiggy, Ola, Uber, and others, has grown rapidly but remains largely unregulated at the national level. Workers have repeatedly highlighted issues such as algorithmic control over earnings, lack of minimum wages, absence of insurance, and vulnerability to sudden deactivations.
Rahul Gandhi has consistently championed the cause of gig workers, having interacted with them multiple times in the past, including during visits to Bengaluru and other cities. He has praised state-level initiatives and criticized the central government for insufficient action, positioning the Congress as a strong advocate for labor rights in the evolving digital economy.
The meeting underscores growing political attention to the gig workforce's plight, especially as unions intensify protests and demand constitutional guarantees, fair compensation, and recognition of urban spaces as workplaces.
No immediate response was available from the central government or platform companies on the delegation's demands.
For More News Updates Follow Us On www.tconews.in
