Rahul Gandhi joins gig workers' bike rally in Hyderabad, launches Telangana welfare scheme

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday joined gig workers for a bike rally in Hyderabad before launching the Telangana Gig Workers' Social Security and Welfare Scheme, aimed at improving their access to work-related information and providing social security benefits.

Riding pillion on a scooter driven by a female gig worker, Gandhi participated in the rally alongside Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, who also rode pillion behind another gig worker. Several other Congress leaders and workers took part in the event.

The rally was followed by the launch of the welfare initiative, which seeks to strengthen protections for platform-based workers, including delivery personnel and those working with ride-hailing services. The initiative is part of the Telangana Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration, Social Security and Welfare) Act, 2026, which was passed by the state legislature in March and came into force on June 2.

Telangana has approximately six lakh gig workers, according to state Labour Minister G Vivek Venkataswamy. The government had earlier announced that it would introduce an application to provide services to registered workers.

Workers to get access to earnings and work-related data

Addressing the launch, Gandhi emphasised the importance of data in the modern economy, arguing that gig workers should have the same access to information as the companies and digital platforms that depend on their services.

He pointed out that companies such as Google, Facebook, WhatsApp and Uber operate using vast amounts of data, while workers associated with these platforms have historically been unable to access detailed information about their own work.

"The 21st century is the century of data. Data is discussed across the country; data centres are being set up. Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, Uber - all of these function on the strength of data. But gig workers were not getting their own data in India until now," he said.

Gandhi said the new legislation would give workers the right to access their work-related information through their mobile phones. This would include details of the assignments they undertake, rides they complete and payments they receive.

He said the Telangana government would ensure that workers could independently access these details rather than remain dependent on the platforms for information about their earnings and performance.

₹5 lakh accident cover, ₹10 lakh health insurance

The legislation also provides for several social security measures, including insurance coverage and safeguards against arbitrary termination by aggregators.

Under the Act, gig workers will be entitled to accident insurance of ₹5 lakh and health insurance of ₹10 lakh. The government will also establish Wi-Fi-enabled rest zones across Hyderabad and other cities in Telangana.

The law further requires aggregators to terminate workers only for valid reasons, which must be communicated in writing with at least seven days' notice. Platforms are also required to ensure timely payments and provide a safe working environment.

The legislation is intended to provide greater security to workers who often depend on digital platforms for their livelihoods but face uncertainty over their employment, earnings and working conditions.

Wi-Fi-enabled rest zones for delivery workers

Gandhi also highlighted the difficulties faced by gig workers who spend long hours travelling across cities and making deliveries, often under harsh weather conditions, without access to dedicated resting facilities.

He said the Telangana government would establish Wi-Fi-enabled rest centres where workers could park their vehicles, take breaks and rest between assignments. The facilities would be available in Hyderabad as well as other cities across the state.

"You move across the cities of Telangana under the sun; you deliver goods, but you do not have dedicated places to rest. So, the Govt of Telangana is going to set up Wi-Fi-enabled rest zones where you can park your vehicle, rest, sit, relax or sleep in Hyderabad and all cities of the state," he said, according to news agency ANI.

The initiative is aimed at addressing a major concern among delivery and transport workers, many of whom spend most of their working hours on the road and have limited access to basic facilities.

Gandhi said the launch marked the fulfilment of a commitment made to gig workers during an earlier interaction, when they had shared their difficulties and demands with him.

"I had a meeting with the gig workers of Telangana. You shared your sorrow and pain with me. At that time, I said that the Congress party, our CM and all of us had promised you that we would take steps regarding your demands and we would make every effort to help you and protect you. Today, we are fulfilling that promise," he said.

The Congress leader had earlier highlighted the concerns of gig workers during his Bharat Jodo Yatra. The Telangana government subsequently brought the legislation in March 2026, seeking to extend social security and legal protections to platform-based workers.

Rahul Gandhi targets BJP-RSS over treatment of workers

Gandhi also used the occasion to criticise the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), accusing them of favouring large corporate groups at the expense of workers.

According to news agency PTI, he alleged that the BJP-RSS ideology benefited industrialists such as Adani and Ambani while treating workers like bonded labourers.

He contrasted this with the Congress's approach, saying his party wanted gig workers to be recognised as partners in economic progress and receive adequate protection for their contribution.

Gandhi described workers as an important part of the country's economic foundation and said their welfare, security and access to benefits should be given greater priority.

The launch was attended by Revanth Reddy and several other senior Congress leaders, with the state government presenting the initiative as part of its broader effort to improve social security for Telangana's estimated six lakh gig workers.