Maharashtra: Mandatory police verification of gig workers soon, says minister
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Maharashtra minister Akash Fundkar on Saturday said that the state government will soon issue directions to online food and quick-commerce companies to ensure mandatory police verification of delivery partners and gig workers, the Hindustan Times reported.
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Responding to a question in the state Assembly about concerns raised regarding public safety, the labour minister noted that most delivery workers were engaged through online platforms and third-party contracts. This often allowed companies to avoid direct responsibility, he added.
The state home department had already held discussions with the labour department on the matter and suggested a mandatory police clearance certificate for delivery personnel, Fundkar said.
“Companies such as Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Zepto and Amazon, amongst others, have appointed delivery partners without proper police verification,” the Hindustan Times quoted the minister as saying.
Many delivery workers are hired through third-party agencies and operate at all hours, which raises concerns about the safety of women, elderly citizens and other vulnerable groups, Fundkar said.
He added that the registration process to enrol for such work is done through online applications, where prospective delivery partners and gig workers submit identity documents, vehicle details and other information, including police verification.
“However, further directions will be issued to ensure that no delivery worker is hired without police verification,” the Hindustan Times quoted the minister as saying. Companies will...