Gig workers will switch off phones on Deepavali in protest: report
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Bengaluru: The Gig & Platform Services Workers Union (GIPSWU), India’s first women-led gig workers union, has announced a nationwide digital strike on Deepavali demanding minimum wages and other rights, The News Minute reported.
Workers will switch off their mobile phones on October 31, 2024 alongside taking to social media with protest messages.
Gig workers union is pressing for social security schemes, minimum wages and recognition as company employees, according to the report citing union leaders.
Selvi, a GIPSWU leader from Bengaluru reportedly alleged that gigworkers are treated as ‘slaves’, adding that despite working hard they get nothing in return ‘They say we're free to work whenever we want, but that's just a lie,’ Selvi added.
The union also demands to set up grievance redressal mechanisms.
Meanwhile, GIPSWU has asked the Union and State governments to implement labour laws in gig economy alongside extending social security benefits EPF and pension schemes and sought Maternity Benefits Act to cover gigworkers.
Nisha Panwar, a GIPSWU leader from Maharashtra reportedly said that gigworkers will protest echoing their struggles, while others celebrating Deepavali with fireworks.