In a move aimed at improving safety of gig workers and the general public, the Bengaluru City Police have issued a detailed set of guidelines to all app-based service aggregators. The list includes food delivery, ride-hailing, and hyperlocal logistics platforms.
The directive comes amid growing concerns over crimes involving gig workers (by and against them), and loopholes in safety mechanisms.
Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said the instructions were designed to ensure that companies deploying thousands of gig workers across the city adopt stronger monitoring systems, verification procedures, and emergency-response mechanisms.
Mr. Singh said gig platforms must conduct thorough police verification and background checks of every delivery partner and driver before they start the work. Aggregators are required to maintain updated personnel records and make them available to law enforcement agencies whenever required.
A document detailing the directives, accessed by The Hindu, emphasised that physical and digital address verification, employment checks, driving licence validation, and verification of vehicle documents are now mandatory. Companies may also rely on third-party agencies to carry out these checks.
Gig worker safety
A senior police official said there have been instances in which habitual offenders have committed crimes while posing as delivery partners, including cases such as drug transportation. Additionally, since many gig workers do not use their own vehicles, it often becomes difficult to trace the individual involved during emergencies.
To address these concerns, aggregators have been instructed to ensure gig workers carry and display company-issued ID cards at all times. Companies must also provide uniforms or easily identifiable attire so workers can be recognised in public spaces.
A key element of the new safety framework is the requirement for in-app SOS buttons. Every gig worker’s app must include an emergency alert feature directly linked to the company’s control room and the local police. Platforms must also run a 24/7 helpline to support workers in distress. This measure is already under implementation.
The police have directed companies to use GPS tracking for all tasks to monitor worker safety in real time. Location data related to deliveries and rides must be stored for at least 30 days to allow access during investigations of accidents, crimes, or complaints.
Recognising the increased risks during late hours, aggregators must adopt special safety measures for workers operating between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. These include access to emergency contacts, identification of safe zones, and advising workers to avoid isolated or poorly lit routes whenever possible.
Workplace conduct and customer safety
The gig workers will now be required to attend sensitisation sessions on appropriate conduct while interacting with customers, especially women, senior citizens, and children. Any worker accused of misconduct will be immediately suspended pending investigation.
The aggregators must cooperate promptly with police investigations and share verified data on demand. The police have also asked platforms to hold regular safety workshops on traffic rules, safe riding practices, cyber-security awareness, and procedures for reporting suspicious behaviour. Workers are expected to participate in these sessions whenever they are offered, including those conducted by the traffic police.
Companies must report any accident, theft, assault, or crime involving their workers to the police immediately. The police said that this would improve response times and creates transparency in incidents involving gig personnel.
Nodal officers to be held accountable
Now nodal officers appointed by each gig company will be held directly responsible for enforcing the fresh guidelines. The police have warned that failure to comply may result in legal action under relevant provisions of law.
Published – November 27, 2025 06:53 pm IST
