Delhi govt supports gig workers’ ride, but delivery doubt persists

NEW DELHI: A consultation held four days before Tuesday’s Delhi budget has led to a couple of measures for gig workers, the lakhs of men and women who deliver restaurant orders, groceries, medicines, drive cabs and do all kinds of work attached to service delivery apps.Chief minister Rekha Gupta’s govt plans to set up restrooms in collaboration with existing Atal canteens and has also proposed a state-level gig workers’ welfare board.The announcement signals a long-awaited recognition of the contribution of 13 lakh gig workers in Delhi. However, the announcements have brought to the fore questions on implementation, particularly of the restrooms.The Gig and Platform Service Workers’ Union (GIPSWU) welcomed the move. For the first time, workers may get an opportunity to register themselves, paving the way for access to social security and institutional support through the proposed board.Nirmal Gorana, the national coordinator of GIPSWU, however, said that in the absence of a clear legislative framework, the proposals seem incomplete. “The budget does not specify what will be provided, when it will be delivered, or how much support workers will receive,” he said, pointing to the lack of clarity around entitlements and timelines.Accessibility is another concern. “While govt plans to link rest facilities with Atal canteens, there are only about 45 such centres across Delhi. Many of these may be far from key delivery hubs, warehouses and pickup points, where gig workers spend most of their time. For workers operating on tight schedules, riding even a few kilometres to take a break may not be practical,” he said.Unions have said that for the restroom plan to be effective, rest facilities must be located closer to high-demand areas, ensuring easy access during work hours. Without such planning, they warn that the facilities risk remaining underutilised.Stakeholders said the real impact of the announcements will depend on clear policy backing and on-ground execution.