Mumbai, April 8: Maharashtra’s Labor Minister Akash Fundkar has directed the establishment of a comprehensive framework to ensure safe services for customers through online platforms, gig workers, and delivery personnel. This initiative aims to enhance the reliability, security, and legal compliance of services provided.
The emphasis will be on verifying workers to ensure their safety and the integrity of services. These directives were issued during a joint meeting of the Labor and Home Departments.
Various delivery and service provider companies appoint delivery partners to offer services door-to-door. Currently, these companies register online without identity verification and send data to third-party verification agencies.
However, the government reported that the meeting involved extensive discussions regarding the legal authority of these agencies, the legal basis of their processes, and the overall safety of both consumers and workers.
Minister Fundkar stated that companies registering gig and platform workers as “partners” must take full responsibility for background checks and safety.
He instructed the development of a comprehensive plan in coordination with all relevant departments to study aspects such as the commercial registration of vehicles used for deliveries.
The meeting highlighted the need for stringent measures to regulate gig and platform workers employed by online food and delivery companies. Most aggregator companies in the state operate through online platforms and hire workers through third-party agencies instead of direct recruitment.
The statement noted that this practice leads to a lack of employer-employee relationships and creates ambiguity in responsibilities.
The minister mentioned that while documents such as Aadhaar cards, Permanent Account Numbers, bank details, driving licenses, vehicle papers, insurance, and e-Shram registrations are currently required, the meeting stressed the need for a uniform regulatory code.
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