On the last day of campaigning for Telangana assembly elections, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday interacted with gig workers, auto rickshaw drivers and sanitation workers in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.

During the interaction, the Congress leader heard their grievances and assured them of bringing a legislature in line with the Congress-led Rajasthan government to address them.

“In Rajasthan we have created a category of gig workers. Whenever an order comes in, some of its money goes towards your social security like insurance, pension on behalf of the company.

“Similarly, after the formation of Congress government in Telangana, you will have talks with the Chief Minister and the Cabinet and will find a solution to your problem,” he said.

Gandhi assured them a law for welfare of Gig workers in Telangana will be brought if the Congress party’s government is formed in the state.

He told them that after the Congress party comes to power, the chief minister and minister concerned will hold a meeting with them and decide on the welfare measures for them.

The Congress MP also suggested formation of a welfare board for Gig workers to address the issues facing them.

The Gig workers briefed Gandhi about the problems they face on daily basis. On of the workers told him that their earnings per order has been coming down while the expenditure is going up due to the increase in petrol price.

Shri @RahulGandhi engages with the heartbeat of the city— drivers, gig workers & sanitary heroes in Hyderabad. In this interaction, he lends his ear to comprehend their challenges.

Listening intently, he not only understands their problems but also presents relief plans from… pic.twitter.com/X6sK1QcTWf

— Congress (@INCIndia) November 28, 2023

They said the delivery charges are very low and the companies are not giving them vehicles or expenses for petrol. They also complained about lack of insurance in case of accidents.

“I understood from what you told me that you are caught between your companies and customers. This is 21st century slavery,” Rahul Gandhi remarked during the interaction.

He also heard the problems of autorickshaw drivers and told them that Congress party’s manifesto for Telangana polls has promised Rs12,000 financial assistance to them.

It will also bring a single permit and ensure one-time settlement of pending traffic challans with a discount of 50 per cent.

Sanitation workers working on contract basis also explained to Rahul Gandhi their problems due to lack of job security and other benefits.

He assured them that once Congress is voted to power, the chief minister will hold a meeting with them and work out measures for their welfare.

(With agency inputs)