Companies like Amazon, Zomato, Uber may have to pay welfare fees

Companies like foodtech and online shopping have employed millions of people in the country as delivery partners. They are also called Gig Workers. Big companies like Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon, Flipkart, Uber, Ola and Meesho are involved in giving jobs to gig workers on a large scale. Now preparations are being made to collect welfare fees from these companies in the name of gig workers. If this decision is taken, then these companies can put the burden of this fee on the customer.

Actually, this preparation is being done in Karnataka. The Karnataka government has prepared the Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2024. Citing sources, a Business Standard report has claimed that the government can impose a fee of 1 to 2 percent on these aggregator platforms under this law. An announcement can be made about this after the committee level meeting to be held next week. At present, no company has said anything on this issue. Every company in which gig workers work will come under the purview of this rule.

According to the draft bill, the state government will create a fund for gig workers. It will be known as Karnataka Gig Workers Social Security and Welfare Fund. Welfare fees will be collected from all aggregator companies for this fund. According to the draft bill, every company will have to pay this fee to the government at the end of the quarter.

According to sources, a group of many startups and unicorns had raised serious questions about this bill. They had told the government that such a law would hurt the idea of ​​​​ease of doing business in the state. This will put unnecessary pressure on the startup economy and will also increase the financial burden. This group has also registered its protest with the government through CII, NASSCOM and IAMAI.