The reports note that determining the ways to utilise the welfare fee in general and for other social security schemes will be deliberated by the working group
In an attempt to estimate the quantum of the fee to be levied towards the welfare of gig workers, the Karnataka government has formed a working group. As per the reports, trade leaders, representatives of ecommerce companies, legal experts and department of labour officials have been included.
While the Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Ordinance proposes levying a 1 to 5 charge per transaction towards the move, it does not specify the exact quantum of welfare fee to be levied. This involves various private players that operate in the segment like Swiggy, Zomato, Ola and others.
The reports noted that determining the ways to utilise the welfare fee in general and for other social security schemes will be deliberated by the working group. The group will lay down the eligibility criteria to avail the perks of the schemes.
Karnataka government has already published the draft rules for the ordinance. The reports emphasised that one of the rules instructs the aggregators to constitute a internal dispute resolution committee. This is aimed at putting a framework in place so that a terminated gig worker can appeal within seven days of termination.
The call for formation of a welfare board has also been stated in the rules. The reports added that the workers, representatives from government and industry should be there in the board. The board will be given the power to specify occupational safety and health standards.
