• Source:JND

10-Minute Delivery Model Row: The 10-minute delivery model has been debated for a long time as a quick delivery system, sometimes jeopardising gig workers' lives. The doorstep delivery, convenient for consumers, but it has become a deadly gamble for those who ride bikes to meet the deadline. The latest example came to the fore in Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana, where a 25-year-old delivery boy, Abhishek, lost his life in the rush to deliver an order on time. His death has sparked outrage among gig workers in the state.

Telangana Gig Worker Union Writes To Labour Minister

The road accident prompted the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) to write a letter to the Labour Minister. The union expressed its anger over the incident, demanding social security for the gig workers.

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Gig workers across Hyderabad have staged protests over the matter. According to TGPWU founder Sheikh Salauddin, "When a gig worker dies on the road, why don't they receive insurance or compensation? Gig workers are human beings, not algorithms."

How Has The Accident Happened?

On the night of January 5, 2026, Abhishek was in a hurry to deliver an order when his bike skidded in Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad, and he was run over by a private bus coming from behind. The delivery boy died on the spot. He was identified as a resident of Shaikpet. Abhishek was a final-year BBA student. He worked part-time as a delivery worker to help support his family. His death has caused outrage in Hyderabad. The police registered a case and started an investigation. The police also appealed to all gig workers to wear helmets.

Labour Ministry Proposes Social Security For Gig Workers

Earlier, on January 2, the Labour Ministry proposed a 90-day annual work threshold as the mandatory eligibility criteria for gig and platform workers to access social security under new draft rules on the Social Security Code 2020, published on December 31.

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Here Are Key Highlights In The New Law For Gig Workers

- The four labour codes, including the Social Security Code 2020, were notified on November 21, 2025, and now draft rules have been pre-published for stakeholders' feedback.

- In order to be eligible for any benefit under any scheme framed under the Code for gig workers or platform workers, the Central government may notify specific conditions for eligibility through general or special order, in addition to registration on the designated portal of the Central government.

- It explained that a gig worker, or a platform worker, will be considered to be engaged with an aggregator for one day if they have earned income, irrespective of the amount, for such work rendered with the aggregator on that calendar day.

- In case of working with multiple aggregators, the days of engagement of a gig worker or a platform worker shall be calculated across the aggregators in a cumulative manner.

- If a gig worker, or a platform worker, is engaged with three aggregators on a particular calendar day, this shall count as three days, the Ministry of Labour and Employment said.

- It also clarified that an eligible gig worker or a platform worker shall include all such workers engaged by the aggregator directly or through an associate company, holding company, subsidiary company, limited liability partnership or through a third party.

(With PTI inputs)


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