Congress MP demands legislation to ensure fair wages, job security for gig workers

Congress MP urges legislation to protect gig economy workers for fair wages, job security, and social benefits in India.

A Congress member in the Lok Sabha urged to have a legislation to protect gig economy workers by ensuring fair wages, job security and social benefits for them.

Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, Lok Sabha member from Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar and Congress Whip Manickam Tagore asserted that their issues were more of human rights rather than a labour issue.

“I want to bring your attention to the plight of gig economy workers, particularly those at Amazon India, including the warehouse staff and delivery persons who are protesting against unfair wages and unsafe working conditions. These workers earn less than ₹10,000 a month while enduring long hours and immense pressure,” Mr. Tagore said.

“Amazon claims to offer provident fund and insurance but the reality is far from these promises. The ongoing protest during the Black Friday event underscores the inequality in our economy and exploitation faced by these workers,” he added.

The MP from Virudhunagar asserted that it is “our duty to stand with our workers and push for a meaningful change”.

“We urgently need legislation to protect gig economy workers, ensuring fair wages, job security and social benefits. This is not merely a labour issue, it is a moral or human rights issue,” he said.

His party colleague and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor also urged Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to ensure strict implementation of laws concerning work hours.