Maharashtra mandates verification for gig workers amid row over illegal immigrants

The Maharashtra government has ordered a stricter, mandatory verification process for lakhs of gig and delivery workers across Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), amid a political row over alleged infiltration by undocumented migrants.

Labour Minister Akash Fundkar issued the directive after a joint meeting with the Home Department at Mantralaya on April 7, asking platforms to move beyond “faceless” onboarding and take full legal responsibility for verifying worker credentials.

The order covers delivery partners working with major aggregators such as Swiggy, Zomato and Blinkit.

POLITICAL FLASHPOINT OVER ‘INFILTRATION’ CLAIMS

The move follows allegations by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, who claimed that undocumented Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants were entering the delivery workforce using forged documents.

The issue has quickly taken on political overtones, with illegal immigration emerging as a key talking point ahead of assembly elections in West Bengal and Assam.

OPPOSITION ALLEGES ‘POLITICS OF POLARISATION’

Opposition leaders have strongly criticised the claims. Samajwadi Party’s Abu Azmi accused Somaiya of engaging in “politics of polarisation”.

Azmi argued that if illegal infiltration was indeed taking place, it pointed to a failure of border security under the Centre, and said the issue should be raised with Union Home Minister Amit Shah rather than targeting low-income workers in Mumbai.

INDUSTRY FLAGS LOOPHOLES IN VERIFICATION

Concerns have also been raised within the gig economy about gaps in the onboarding process. Delivery worker Umesh Gupta said third-party agencies often bypass physical checks, allowing individuals to work using rented or shared IDs.

Officials said the proposed framework will require aggregators to register with cyber authorities, issue QR code-based identification to workers, and submit quarterly audit reports to the police.

The measures are aimed at tightening background checks and ensuring “client safety”, even as the policy debate continues to unfold.

- Ends