Shiv Sena UBT Wing Demands Employee Rights For Mumbai Gig Workers

On July 3, 2026, the Bharatiya Kamgar Sena, the labor wing affiliated with the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), urged the government in Mumbai to officially recognize gig and platform workers as regular employees. The union demanded that these workers, including delivery partners and cab drivers, be granted standard labor rights, protections, and benefits.

The demand was raised by Dr. Raghunath Kuchik, the general secretary of the Bharatiya Kamgar Sena. He emphasized that these individuals should be recognized legally as workers rather than merely as "partners," and be given the protection and dignity they deserve in their employment.

Currently, crores of gig and platform workers, such as delivery partners, cab drivers, and other online service providers, form a vital part of India's economy. However, they do not receive the same rights and benefits as regular employees.

Dr. Kuchik argued that the use of technology cannot become a reason to deny platform workers their labor rights. The union's push aims to secure official worker status, dignity, and standard employee benefits for crores of gig and platform workers in the economy.

The union's demand has the potential to secure official worker status, labor rights, dignity, and standard employee benefits for crores of gig and platform workers across the country. These workers include delivery partners, cab drivers, and other online service providers who currently operate without the protections enjoyed by regular employees in Maharashtra and across India.