The Maharashtra government has directed the implementation of a stricter and mandatory verification process for lakhs of gig and delivery workers operating across Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, following a growing political controversy over alleged infiltration by undocumented migrants. The directive, issued by Labour Minister Akash Fundkar after a joint meeting with the Home Department, requires digital platforms to move beyond “faceless” onboarding systems and assume full legal responsibility for verifying the identities and credentials of their workers.
The new measures apply to delivery personnel associated with major aggregator platforms such as Swiggy, Zomato, and Blinkit. Authorities have indicated that the goal is to strengthen background verification processes and enhance accountability within the rapidly expanding gig economy, which currently relies heavily on third-party onboarding systems.
The move comes in response to allegations made by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, who claimed that undocumented Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants were entering the delivery workforce using forged or fraudulent documents. These claims have intensified political debate, especially in the context of upcoming elections in states like West Bengal and Assam, where issues related to illegal immigration have been prominent.
Opposition leaders have strongly criticised the development, describing it as an attempt to polarise public opinion. Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi argued that if such infiltration is occurring, it reflects shortcomings in border security at the national level. He suggested that the issue should be addressed by central authorities rather than targeting economically vulnerable workers employed in the gig sector.
At the same time, concerns have been raised within the industry regarding existing loopholes in the verification process. Some workers and stakeholders have pointed out that third-party agencies often bypass thorough checks, allowing individuals to operate using shared or rented identification credentials. This has raised questions about the reliability of current onboarding mechanisms.
Under the proposed framework, aggregators will be required to register with cyber authorities, issue QR code-based identification to all delivery workers, and submit regular audit reports to law enforcement agencies. These steps are intended to ensure better traceability, reduce misuse of identity credentials, and improve overall safety for customers and businesses.
While the policy aims to tighten regulatory oversight and address security concerns, it has also sparked a broader debate about labour rights, accountability, and the balance between security measures and the protection of informal workers in India’s gig economy.
