Overview
- The government issued a 27 January notification creating the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers Welfare Development Board under the 2025 state law.
- Platforms must pay a welfare fee ranging from 1% to 1.5% that varies by sector and business model, with the rate reviewable up to a 5% ceiling if collections fall short.
- The 16-member board is chaired by the Labour Minister and includes senior officials, four union representatives, four aggregator representatives from Porter, Zomato, Uber and Amazon, and technical experts.
- Both aggregators and workers are required to register with the board, and platforms must submit worker data within 45 days of notification.
- Unions welcomed the board’s formation but warned the initial levy may be inadequate, as the board prepares rules and evaluates fund adequacy for benefits rollout.