RJD MP Manoj Jha writes to PM Modi seeking protection of Gig Workers’ Rights.

Patna, December 31, 2025: On the last day of 2025, RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging government intervention to protect the rights of gig and platform delivery workers and to address what he described as their growing exploitation.

In his letter, Jha said he was writing on behalf of millions of gig and platform workers across India who are facing rapidly deteriorating working conditions and the systematic denial of basic labour rights.

Referring to the nationwide flash strike on December 25, Jha said delivery workers across several states, including Delhi, Karnataka, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, participated in protests that disrupted delivery services. He stated that the strike was not a sudden reaction but a result of long-standing exploitation, declining incomes, precarious work models, and the absence of effective grievance redressal mechanisms.

Manoj Jha’s allegations against platform companies:

Manoj Jha alleged that instead of engaging in dialogue, several platform companies responded with arbitrary and punitive measures, including blocking worker IDs, imposing algorithmic penalties, threatening account deactivation, using protests, and hiring agencies to break the strike.

“These actions constitute a direct attack on the constitutional right of workers to organize and express dissent,” he wrote.

Manoj Jha further highlighted what he termed inhumane work practices, such as 10-minute delivery models, excessive working hours without adequate rest, falling per-order payments, and complete algorithmic control without transparency or accountability.

He said that companies shift business risks—including accidents, health hazards, fuel expenses, and vehicle maintenance—onto workers while classifying them as “partners” rather than employees to evade legal responsibility.

Citing an analysis by Prabir Kumar Chandopadhyay, Jha argued that ultra-fast delivery models are reshaping consumer behavior rather than merely responding to demand.

He warned that a culture of instant convenience undermines self-reliance, planning skills, and productivity, particularly among younger generations.

“This shift not only increases pressure on workers but also promotes a culture of instant gratification that is harmful to both individuals and society,” he said.

Manoj Jha raised key demands:

Jha urged the Prime Minister to consider a series of measures, including, regulating platform companies under existing labour laws, recognizing gig and platform workers as workers with enforceable rights, banning unsafe models such as 10-minute delivers, ending arbitrary ID blocking and algorithmic penalties, ensuring transparency, due process and the right to appeal, implementing a fair wage structure with a guaranteed minimum wage linked to working hours and actual costs, providing comprehensive social security, including health insurance, accident cover, disability benefits, and old-age pensions, regulating algorithmic management systems to ensure transparency and accountability. And guaranteeing the right of gig workers to unionize and engage in collective bargaining.

Concluding his letter, Jha said the growing scale of worker protests indicated rising dissatisfaction and anger within the gig workforce.

He urged the government to intervene urgently to ensure that India’s digital economy is built on justice, security, and dignity rather than exploitation.

Manoj Jha also called for the initiation of a comprehensive national law for gig and platform workers to safeguard their rights and livelihoods.

Also Read: Manoj Jha criticized Bihar and Centre over quota, caste census; says 16% rights usurped.

EOM.