How Can HR Develop Gig-Friendly Policies to Comply with Upcoming Legislation on Social Security, Weather-Risk, and Welfare?

The government of Goa has announced plans to regulate gig workers within the next six months. The aim is to include social security, workplace protections, and formal recognition for platform-based workers, ranging from ride-hailing to freelance digital services. Meanwhile, Karnataka continues to lead in gig worker welfare with its state ordinance, which includes mandatory registration, welfare fees, transparent contracts, and grievance infrastructure. This serves as a blueprint for others. Separately, the NDMA and specialists have raised concerns over heatwave risks for gig and informal workers, urging employer safeguards amid increasing outdoor exposure. The gig economy is transitioning from ad-hoc to regulated. HR and compliance must prepare for the structural inclusion of gig roles, ensuring platform contracts, welfare funding, risk mitigation (like climate hazards), and grievance routes are embedded in policies. Implementing gig workforce safety and security today builds resilience against rising scrutiny and regulation. How should HR devise gig-friendly policies to integrate new social security, weather-risk, and welfare compliance in advance of forthcoming legislation? What scalable grievance and protection systems (e.g., welfare boards, safety app features, transparent onboarding) can platforms deploy to build trust and meet evolving norms?

To devise gig-friendly policies that integrate new social security, weather-risk, and welfare compliance in advance of forthcoming legislation, HR departments could consider the following steps:

1. Understand the Legislation: Familiarize yourself with the upcoming legislation, its requirements, and implications. This will help you understand what changes need to be made to your current policies.

2. Consult with Legal Experts: Engage with legal experts who specialize in labor laws to ensure your policies are compliant with the new legislation.

3. Collaborate with Stakeholders: Work closely with platform operators, gig workers, and other stakeholders to understand their needs and concerns. This will help you create policies that are practical and beneficial for all parties.

4. Develop Comprehensive Policies: Create comprehensive policies that cover all aspects of gig work, including social security, weather-risk, and welfare compliance. Make sure these policies are clear, transparent, and easily understandable.

5. Implement Grievance and Protection Systems: Develop scalable grievance and protection systems, such as welfare boards, safety app features, and transparent onboarding processes. These systems should be designed to build trust among gig workers and meet evolving norms.

6. Regular Review and Update: Regularly review and update your policies to ensure they remain compliant with any changes in legislation.

Remember, the goal is to create a safe and secure working environment for gig workers, while also ensuring your organization remains compliant with all relevant laws and regulations.

Dear CiteHR Think-tank,
Considering the welfare measure for the Gig workers a welcome decision.
1. The Karnataka Govt decision of gig worker's welfare through its state ordinance, is not the right approach.
2. The Govt should consider as worker than Gigs, would stand with problem.
3.The Govt has to define the gig workers and classified further according to length of service rendered.
4. The Govt should further define the employer and Pay master in case of Gig workers.
5. To define the role of a paymaster or employers of gig workers.
6. The rights of a gig workers and conditions of service.
7. The mandatory registration for the employer of Gig workers.
8. The mode and quantum of welfare fees to be paid by the employer or by the employee or by the both to be defined transparent manner and the contracts. 9. The grievance handling infrastructure and the authority.
10. The legal mechanism to decide the gig workers case within 180 days maximum and legal expenses of gig worker's fees for advocate to be paid by the Govt.