Karnataka Plans To Impose Surcharge On Online Transactions For Gig Workers' Welfare

Bengaluru, Aug 16 (KNN) The Karnataka government is planning to impose surcharge on online transactions via platforms like Amazon, Ola, and Zomato to fund welfare benefits for gig workers in state.

As per reports, the number of gig workers in the state have increased to an estimate of 3 lakh.

If everything goes according to plan, Karnataka will be the second state, after Rajasthan, to impose a surcharge on online transactions for the welfare of gig workers.

Karnataka labour minister Santosh Lad said the government is looking at the option of an additional service tax for the purpose of gig workers' welfare.

State government officials told TOI that the government is contemplating a transport workers' welfare board, which may be looking at collecting cess for their welfare schemes, and the gig workers may be merged into the same board.

In the 2023-24 budget, CM Siddaramaiah had mentioned the government proposing a Rs 4-lakh accident and life insurance scheme as part of welfare measures for the workers.  (KNN Bureau)