TGPWU files complaint against Urban Company over wage theft
HYDERABAD: The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) has filed a formal complaint with state labour authorities, alleging wage theft, illegal terminations, and discriminatory practices by Urban Company. The union urges immediate government action to address exploitative conditions that result in financial hardship and mental distress for workers.
Shaik Salauddin, Founder President of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU), submits this complaint on behalf of workers engaged with Urban Company in Telangana.
“Workers are facing wage theft, arbitrary account blocking, illegal terminations through opaque rating systems, forced fees (including joining fees up to Rs 50,000), excessive deductions, unfair cancellation penalties, and denial of promised earnings and benefits,” he stated in his complaint to E. Gangadhar, Additional Commissioner of the Labour Department.
He further added that workers experience algorithmic discrimination, frequent changes to rating cut-offs without notice, and terminations without due process or explanation.
It is understood that Urban Company exercises direct control over working hours, locations, response rates, and weekends, contradicting its claim that workers are independent partners. Workers also face harassment, unsafe working conditions, discrimination against mothers, and ineffective grievance redressal mechanisms.
These practices violate labour laws, constitutional rights, and principles of natural justice, causing severe financial hardship and mental distress to workers.
He requested that the Labour Department urgently investigate Urban Company’s labour practices, direct the company to stop illegal deductions and account terminations, ensure wage protection, algorithmic transparency, and due process, and arrange a tripartite meeting with workers’ representatives, the company, and the department.
He also called for immediate intervention to ensure justice, dignity, and safe working conditions for women platform workers in Telangana.
