Rahul Gandhi Targets Modi Over Gig Economy, Promises Social Security to Workers

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By TRH Political Desk

Telangana’s new welfare initiative promises ₹5 lakh accident insurance, ₹10 lakh health insurance, Wi-Fi-enabled rest zones and a transaction-linked savings contribution for gig workers.

Hyderabad, November 14, 2026 — Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday backed Telangana’s new social security and welfare initiative for gig workers, promising greater financial protection, access to work-related data, insurance coverage and long-term savings for delivery partners and app-based drivers.

Addressing the gathering at the launch of the Telangana Gig Workers’ Social Security and Welfare Scheme in Hyderabad, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said the Congress government was fulfilling its commitment to workers who had earlier raised concerns about their working conditions and lack of social protection.

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and senior Congress leaders were present at the event.

Explaining the initiative, Gandhi said the scheme would give gig workers greater control over their employment-related data. Workers would be able to access information through their mobile phones about deliveries completed, rides undertaken, working hours, payments received and individual transactions.

He argued that although digital platforms and technology companies depended heavily on data, the workers generating that data often had little access to their own work records.

The second major component involves the creation of Wi-Fi-enabled rest zones across Hyderabad and other cities in Telangana. These facilities are intended to provide delivery partners and drivers with designated spaces to park their vehicles, rest and take breaks during long working hours.

On social security, Gandhi announced insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh for accidental injuries and ₹10 lakh for health-related needs for gig workers.

The fourth component focuses on long-term financial security. According to Gandhi, one per cent of the value of every transaction, including deliveries and ride-hailing services, would be channelled towards workers’ future savings through a designated welfare mechanism.

The proposed contribution is intended to provide gig workers with a financial cushion and greater security beyond their immediate earnings.

Congress takes on BJP over gig economy

Gandhi also used the occasion to draw a political distinction between the Congress and BJP’s approaches to the gig economy.

Accusing the BJP-RSS leadership of favouring a system that leaves workers vulnerable while concentrating profits among large corporations, he said gig workers and labourers were the foundation of the Indian economy.

He argued that workers should be treated as partners in economic growth rather than as disposable labour.

Contrasting the Congress approach with what he described as the BJP’s pro-corporate model, Gandhi invoked industrialists Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani and platforms such as Uber and Ola.

He assured workers that the Telangana government and Congress leadership would stand behind them, particularly on matters concerning their families’ health, education and financial security.

The initiative places Telangana’s gig economy workers at the centre of a wider debate over platform employment, workers’ rights and social protection in India’s rapidly expanding digital economy.