Karnataka on Tuesday passed the Platform-Based Gig Workers’ Social Security and Welfare Bill, 2025, aimed at securing rights and benefits for app-based workers. Labour Minister Santosh Lad called it a potential model for the entire country.
The Bill formalises protections first introduced through an ordinance in May. Its provisions are backdated to May 30, 2025, meaning there is virtually no difference in substance between the ordinance and the Bill. The main change is that the safeguards now carry full statutory force.
Here’s a detailed explainer of the bill:
Scope and Definitions
The Bill applies broadly to platform-based work in Karnataka.
- Coverage: Section 1(3) says it applies to “every aggregator or platform operating or providing any one or more services specified in the Schedule within the State of Karnataka” and “every gig worker registered with the Board under section 10.”
- Services covered: The Schedule lists ride-sharing, food and grocery delivery, logistics, e-markets, professional services, healthcare, travel, hospitality, and content/media services.
- Gig worker: Section 2(e) defines this as “a person who performs work or participates in a work arrangement that results in a given rate of payment, based on terms and conditions laid down in such contract and includes all piece-rate work, and whose work is sourced through a platform, in the services specified in the Schedule.”
- Platform: Section 2(g) defines this as “any arrangement providing a service through electronic means… involving the use of automated monitoring and decision-making systems or human decision-making that relies on data.”
In effect, the law covers the full range of app-based gig work in Karnataka, from Uber and Swiggy to e-commerce delivery and freelance digital services.
Welfare Board and Fund
The institutional core of the law is the Karnataka Platform Based Gig Workers Welfare Board.
Section 3(1) establishes this body, headquartered in Bengaluru, to oversee welfare provisions under the Act.
The Board includes:
- Chairperson:
The Minister in charge of the Labour Department, Government of Karnataka. - Ex-officio members:
- Additional Chief Secretary or Principal Secretary, Department of Labour (or nominee).
- Additional Chief Secretary or Principal Secretary, Department of Information Technology (or nominee).
- Commissioner, Department of Commercial Taxes (or nominee).
- A Chief Executive Officer appointed by the State Government, who also acts as the Member Secretary.
- Nominated members:
- Four representatives of gig workers’ associations.
- Four representatives from aggregator or platform companies.
- Two representatives from civil society, with experience or expertise in the gig economy.
- Special Invitee:
- A technical expert in data collection and IT systems, invited as needed to provide input.
The law also creates a dedicated fund. Section 19(1) states: “The State Government…
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