IFAT pitches for simpler registration process for gig workers on e-Shram portal

Our Bureau Updated - February 22, 2023 at 04:56 PM.

Wants drivers and others working for e-commerce companies to be allowed to register themselves on the portal with a driving licence

HYDERABAD, 26/02/2021: App-based food delivery workers gather near a restaurant awaiting orders from customers in Hyderabad. The rising fuel prices have impacted workers who are dependent on the survival of these new businesses, also known as the gig economy. that have brought about employment to many people. Photo: NAGARA GOPAL / The Hindu

The Indian Federation of App Based Transport Workers (IFAT) has asked the Union Government to introduce simpler norms for gig workers and drivers of app-based cab service companies to register on the e-Shram portal.

IFAT wants the portal, which seeks to build a registry of workers in the unorganised sector, to allow the drivers and others working for e-commerce companies to register themselves on the portal with a driving licence. “The registration process should not be tied to BPL (below poverty line) and ration cards. The government should set up physical centres to help our members to register on the portal,” Shaik Salauddin, National General Secretary of IFAT, has said.

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In a letter to Bhupender Yadav, the Union Minister for Labour and Employment, he asked the government to start a toll-free number to address any grievances.

National drive

Meanwhile, the Federation will launch a national drive to get thousands of workers of app-based cab and e-commerce companies such as Ola, Uber, Swiggy and Zomato registered with the National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW).

Requesting the Minister to include the IFAT representatives in deliberations with regard to the registry, he said a national database for unorganised would go a long way in solving their problems. “The lack of data on the number of gig workers in the country today is disturbing. Recognising gig and platform economy workers would help in providing tailored social security benefits to them,” he said.

Published on August 25, 2021 14:11