Leading the Gig Workers
Social Security For Them Is A Burning Issue
Organising Gig workers, Platform based workers is perhaps the most difficult task in the world. The governments influenced by multinational companies like Ola and Uber, the cash rich employers who keep bouncers to throw away protesting persons who are employees on our view but ‘contractors’ in the view of the aggregators, make it the most complicated task.
Seeing the degree of difficulty in organising the Gig and Platform based workers (GPW for short) Ralph Waldo Emerson who famously said “What is the hardest task in the world? To think!” would have revised his view.
I interviewed Mr. Shaik Salauddin whose contribution to the cause of Gig and Platform based workers is tremendous, and here is the full text of the interview:
Vivek: Hello Shaik Sahab, please tell me about yourself, I confess I know precious little, though I have heard a lot about your work.
Shaik Salauddin: I stay at Hyderabad. I am son of Shaik Abdul Nabi. We stay as a joint family; we are two brothers and stay together with our family. I have studied up to B Com (Computer Science).
Vivek: You have done stupendous work for organising Gig and Platform based workers (GPW), not just the drivers of Ola and Uber. How did this work begin?
Shaik Salauddin: In 2012 I was driving an Ambassador which was hired by the Government Department DRDA. I used to transport the officers of DRDA. Ambassador was an old car, so I bought Indica. It was used to transport a Government officer at Rangareddy. When he retired, I was unemployed for four months! But resumed driving my car. The government had two types of contracts. One category was that they would hire a vehicle with its driver, the other category was where they engaged only a driver, it was outsourced, which was because the then Chandrababu Naidu’s Government decided not to engage any drivers directly. No recruitment of drivers.
Vivek: How did you get involved and organise the GPW?
Shaik Salauddin: Well, a small group of Ola and Uber drivers would come to me and narrate their problems. But I said that I have to understand the problems first, then I could lead them to find a solution. After my work at the Government Department, I started working as a driver for Ola and Uber. At that juncture there were small groups and unions who could not resolve their issues with Ola and Uber. So, I launched Telangana Four-Wheeler Drivers Association (TGFWDA). That was in 2016. Then 14 associations and unions representing the GPW came together to form the Telangana State Taxi & Drivers’ joint Action Committee. I was elected as the Chairman of this Joint Action Committee.
Vivek: What was the context?
Shaik Salauddin: The aggregators had promised the moon! They said drivers will earn Rs 1.20L per month. In practice drivers were getting a good sum, though not Rs 1.20L. They were earning 40 to 50 thousand Rupees a month. That was not bad considering the income levels of people then. The number of drivers were not many, so the aggregators wanted more drivers. People moved from villages to Hyderabad to work as drivers. Villagers sold their tractors; some sold their jewellery in the hope of settling down in the Hyderabad city to work as drivers. Once you settle down in a city like Hyderabad, you do not go back to your village. But with more cars on street, Ola and Uber changed the rules of the game.
Vivek: What did they do?
Shaik Salauddin: Now the cars were too many. So, they did not keep their commitments. They reduced incentives. Later they stopped it altogether. They used to give referral bonus if you referred a driver, but then they stopped it too. Too many Ola and Uber cars were on the street, so individual business was low. Expenditure was exceeding the income for the drivers; it was impossible to make two ends meet.
Vivek: What is the situation now?
Shaik Salauddin: We make Rs 15 to 20 thousand a month. If you work at least sixteen hours a day you will make Rs 30 thousand a month.
Vivek: Rupees 15 thousand a month is like minimum wages for a worker.
Shaik Salauddin: True. But there is no bonus. And no social security! We protested; we launched agitations. Aggregators refused to meet us leave alone having any discussion. They had engaged bouncers who have beaten some of us who went to the offices of the aggregators. Police were used to book several criminal cases against us.
Vivek: That’s shocking. What did you do?
Shaik Salauddin: We realized that demonstrations against the aggregators will not take us any further. We had to change our strategy. We decided to take the fight to the Government instead of individual employers. It worked.
Vivek: Like what did you achieve?
Shaik Salauddin: In 2018 Mr. Nitin Gadkari heard us and promised to do something about our issues. He did two things: First, he made sure that Social Security Code contains provisions in respect of Social Security for Gig Workers and Platform Workers. It provides for social security schemes for GPW regarding life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, old age protection etc. But it is yet to be brought in force. He also took another step; he introduced Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines. (Read those here) But the guidelines are not enforced. We got them enforced in Kolkata and Karnataka, but court cases have been filed against these guidelines in these states.
Vivek: When did you come in contact with Mr Sangam Tripathy who is associated with International Transport Workers Federation?
Shaik Salauddin: In 2016. Through his guidance we connected with associations and unions working for GPW in 14 States. I am the founding member, National General Secretary of Indian Federation of App-based Transport workers (IFAT) which we established in 2019 bringing these associations and unions together. In Telangana other than TGFWDA we also launched Telangana Gig and Platforms Workers Union (TGPWU) in 2022 which is part of IFAT. We have over 10 thousand members and a thousand active members. (Note: The Federation and Union work towards the benefits of a wide variety of gig and platform workers, ranging from app-based taxi drivers or motorcycle riders for mobility platforms (Uber, Ola, Rapido), delivery agents for logistics and e-commerce platforms (Dunzo, Delhivery, Shadowfax, Amazon, Flipkart) and food delivery platforms (Zomato, Swiggy), and ‘freelance’ or ‘part-time’ workers for gig marketplace platforms (Urban Company, Housejoy))
Vivek: You have contributed to making various laws about Gig and platform-based workers. That is path breaking work. Tell me about it.
Shaik Salauddin: When Mr. Rahul Gandhi reached Hyderabad on Bharat Jodo Yatra, I met him. I spoke to him about the problems of the GPW. I spoke to him for thirty minutes and walked a good distance along with him. When he went to Rajasthan on his Yatra, he asked Mr Gehlot, the then Chief Minister, to make a suitable law to provide social security to the GPW. I assisted them in drafting THE RAJASTHAN PLATFORM BASED GIG WORKERS (REGISTRATION AND WELFARE) BILL, 2023. I remember a meeting with Mr Gehlot started at 9 pm – it was about this draft law- it ended at 12 midnight! There were important Government Officers present, and we discussed the draft threadbare.
Vivek: Wow! Amazing!! That is a pathbreaking piece of legislation. It’s first of its kind! And you were one of the architects of it!
Shaik Salauddin: When Mr. Rahul Gandhi was in Karnataka he spoke to me. He met Food Delivery workers over breakfast, and he heard them. He said he will get the Government to make law and also define minimum wages. In the next assembly session, the Karnataka Government declared that they would provide insurance cover of Rs 4 lakhs to the GPW. (Note: Karnataka Government is expected to table the Gig and Platform Workers’ bill in July 2024)
Vivek: Oh, wow! This is a great achievement.
Shaik Salauddin: When Mr. Rahul Gandhi was in Hyderabad, I met him with drivers and delivery workers. We discussed making law for social security, welfare board etc. Mr. Ravanth Reddy also heard me. He declared insurance cover of Rs 5 lakhs for the GPW. The insurance policies in Karnataka and Telangana are implemented. The policies for GPW in Telangana are ready and those will hopefully get approval. Even minimum wages will be stipulated. For hospitalization an insurance cover of Rs 10 L is approved under the Arogya Sri Scheme. (NOTE: The website of Vikaspedia ArogyaSri page does not support this claim. Perhaps it is not yet implemented.)
Vivek: When it comes to the cess or fee for the welfare board of GPW, the three laws (Rajasthan, Karnataka and the Social Security Code) specify different ways. Social Security code stipulates payment on the basis of annual turnover of the aggregator, Karnataka Bill specifies on the basis of each transaction or on the annual state specific turnover and Rajasthan specifies the cess to be paid on the basis of ‘the value of each transaction related to platform-based worker.’ What is your stance on this matter?
Shaik Salauddin: We want it exclusively on the basis of the transaction – the amount paid by a customer to the aggregator. Not on the annual turnover. When it comes to annual turnover, there is no transparency of accounting done by the aggregators. They also create multiple companies like Ola has Ola Mobility Institute, Ola Electric Mobility which also manufactures electric two wheelers which is Ola Bikes. Agreegators can do creative accounting to reduce liability, but things will be transparent only if the fee or cess is based on each transaction done with a customer. All data will be available about customer transactions.
Vivek: Thanks a million for sharing the details of your path breaking work and your insights. I wish you success ahead, it is a long road, but under your leadership it will be a grand success. My best wishes.
Readers may also like to refer: ‘Gig Workers What The Report Says’ , ‘Prisoners on Wheels Report’ , and Who worries About Gig Workers .
Vivek S Patwardhan
“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”/ All work copyrighted
Thanks Vivek🙏.Courtesy you I’ve found a new hero….Sheikh .Salauddin.The injustice done to GIG workers is simply unacceptable and disgraceful
Good interview. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
I usually chat with the drivers when I take a cab and am not surprised to read the contents.
The concept of free delivery must change for the GPW to earn a decent living.
I do see a rise in fares and with EV’s a lower opex – I pray the drivers get a fair share to earn at least 30k / month for 12 hours of work 25 days / week.
Hi. This interview is an eye opener and also a beacon of hope. It is so true that one person with conviction makes a majority and Shaikh Salauddin is doing just that.
I have personally interacted with many ola and uber drivers and realized how the light in the tunnel turned out to be an approaching train for most of them.
I hope that as in all things , a sense of balance and fairplay gets created in the gig worker ecosystem.
Such a lovely and informative interview.
Sir, I commend and appreciate your zest for diving deep into the labour subjects and present to the reader deep insights and perspectives. I loved reading the interview which brings out the journey of both the crusader and the GP workers.
Now that the Labour Codes will become a reality in a short time, this interview is a harbinger for things to come.
Thanks Sir for this wonderful reading enriching us with the latest happenings.
Salutations!!
The best part is insurance cover. The vulnerability of the occupational hazard is addressed. Also a systematic distribution of income. Good initiative by him. Interview well recorded.
But it has added one more piece of legislation. Hopefully when Labour Code which covers Gig & Platform workers will have consistent provisions. Lastly the passengers should not crib of higher tariff. Ultimately the customer will have to pay.
Lastly does the Act provide for action on errant drivers otherwise it will become one sided? Customer protection should be an integral part. Let it evolve.
Vivek
thanks for sharing this
we all are aware of the issues of the Gig & platform workers but I for one was unaware of the work done in this area
it is heartening to see they have a champion. Of course much needs to be done. But it is good to see the initial steps.
Well articulated piece on the plight of Gig workers in the context of platform based private transport facility and the journey towards getting justice to the employees from the non- specified aggregators. Thank you Vivekjee. Contribution of Shaik Salauddin on the road towards organising unorganised, which is the only labour security, deserves sincere congratulations and best wishes.
It will be challenging to see that the labour/employees in unorganised sector obtains justice through the forthcoming Labour Coads, keeping in mind the ‘consumer’, though his ‘capacity’ is a complex issue linked to the macro economics policies.
In this interview, Vivek tried to heartfelt exploration of the immense challenges faced by Gig and Platform-based workers (GPW), shining a light on their struggles and the incredible efforts of individuals like Shaik Salauddin. His journey from a government-contracted driver to a leader advocating for GPW rights is not just inspiring but crucial in today’s gig economy.
The interview vividly captures the hardships GPW endure, battling against the odds imposed by corporate giants like Ola and Uber, who classify them as contractors rather than employees. It’s a distressing reminder of the inequalities these workers face, sacrificing stability for uncertain livelihoods.
Shaik Salauddin’s leadership in establishing organizations such as the Telangana Four-Wheeler Drivers Association and the Telangana Gig and Platforms Workers Union underscores his unwavering dedication to collective action. His initiatives have not only raised awareness about GPW grievances but also influenced laws and policies for their social security and welfare.
His collaborations with political figures like Mr. Rahul Gandhi have yielded groundbreaking strides, including the Rajasthan Platform Based Gig Workers Bill and advancements in insurance coverage and minimum wage guarantees in Karnataka and Telangana.
Despite encountering resistance and physical threats from corporate entities, Shaik Salauddin’s strategic approach of engaging with governments rather than just employers has proven effective. His resilience and strategic vision reflect a profound commitment to justice and fairness for all GPW.
Shaik Salauddin transcends mere activism; it stands as a powerful testament to grassroots organizing against corporate hegemony. It calls upon us to acknowledge and support the ongoing struggle for the social security and dignity of Gig and Platform-based workers—a cause that demands continuous advocacy and solidarity.
From this interview, it became clear to me that in our society, while there are numerous leaders (Netas), only a select few, such as Shaik Salauddin, truly embody leadership. It seems that Vivek aimed to underscore this distinction through the interview, and I deeply appreciate his efforts in doing so. Another key takeaway is that extreme ideologies—whether on the right or the left—do not offer viable solutions. Instead, it is the middle path that holds promise for addressing current challenges within our system. While revolution may not be feasible, reforms are achievable. Ultimately, the interview raises a fundamental question: what kind of society do we aspire to build?
Vivek Sir, as usual captures the essence of the GPW (Gig platform workers) This well researched blog post in the form of an interview is detailed and well researched and highlights the dark areas of GPW. Sir, continues to be so dispassionately passionate about such causes, and he continues his crusade on the matters that matter.
Accolades to Mr Shaikh Salauddin for his contribution to highlighting this cause.