Rahul Gandhi leads gig workers’ rally in Hyderabad, announces Act framework

He received a grand welcome at Shamshabad Airport from Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu and State Congress president Bomma Mahesh Kumar Goud.

Hyderabad: Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi joined gig workers in a bike rally in Hyderabad on Saturday, November 14, as the Telangana government announced the rules framed under the Telangana Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration, Social Security and Welfare) Act, 2026.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and other Congress leaders accompanied Gandhi in the rally, which went from the Shilparamam government auditorium near Shilpakala Vedika to Jayabheri Ground in Madhapur, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.

A heavy police deployment was made at Shilpakala Vedika ahead of the rally, according to news agency ANI.

Telangana Labour Minister G Vivek Venkataswamy said the event was only to announce the fulfilment of the promise Gandhi made during the Bharat Jodo Yatra and the 2023 Assembly elections to bring in a comprehensive gig workers law.

“The government order was issued yesterday, the rules have been framed, and Rahul ji is announcing them today,” he said. He added that the government is working towards a welfare board, protection for gig workers, a registration portal and a grievance redressal portal, which he said will benefit nearly four lakh gig workers in Hyderabad.

Under the Act, accidents and health issues will be covered by a Rs 5 lakh accident insurance and a Rs 10 lakh health insurance.

The Act also ensures pensions for gig workers, with 1 per cent of each ride’s earnings set aside for the purpose.

Telangana Gig and Platform Workers’ Union chief Shaik Salahuddin said around 13,000 blocked worker IDs have been unblocked in Telangana because of the Act.

The Act came into force on June 2. After the workers’ programme, Gandhi is to address the valedictory session of the Bharat Summit in Hyderabad on Saturday evening.