Centre, BJP-ruled States ignoring injustice to gig workers: Rahul Gandhi

The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Monday (February 16, 2026), alleged that the Union Government and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled States were turning a blind eye to the injustices faced by gig workers. Class and caste-based discrimination were deeply embedded in the sector, and there was little accountability for companies, Mr. Gandhi said.

The Congress leader recently interacted with a delegation of gig workers at what he described as a ‘Jan Sansad’ — meetings he holds with different groups at his office in the Parliament House complex during sessions.

In a post on Facebook, accompanied by a video of the interaction, Mr. Gandhi said the discussions highlighted the need for strong and responsible government action to ensure workers benefited from the gig economy. 

“Today, gig workers lack stable income, social security, or basic amenities like medical care and insurance. Work-life balance is disrupted, and basic human dignity is being eroded,” Mr. Gandhi said.

Women gig workers faced “double exploitation”, combining economic insecurity with a lack of safety and respect, he alleged. “Instead of support, they are being stripped of the dignity of their labour,” he said.

Class and caste hierarchies were reflected in the gig economy, Mr. Gandhi said. “A large number of workers in the gig sector belong to Dalit and tribal communities, further exacerbating their exploitation,” he said.

Accusing the BJP of inaction, he said governments at the Centre and in States had failed to enact strong laws or provide social security for gig workers. “There are no strong laws, no social security, and no accountability for gig companies,” he said.

Congress-ruled States were working on rights-based frameworks to ensure social security, minimum wages, and equal treatment for gig workers, and were developing a model law that could be implemented nationwide, Mr. Gandhi said.