New Fee Alert: Karnataka Govt To Charge You for Every Transaction on Zomato, Swiggy, Zepto, and More

The Karnataka government is expected to introduce a transaction fee of 1 to 2 percent on popular aggregator platforms such as Zomato, Swiggy, Flipkart, Amazon, Ola, Uber, and Urban Company, according to a report by Moneycontrol.

This fee will contribute to a newly established welfare board aimed at providing social security benefits to gig workers employed across these platforms. The initiative seeks to enhance the working conditions of gig workers involved in delivery services and other platform-based roles.

As detailed in the report, the fee will be applied to each transaction made through these aggregator platforms, covering a wide range of sectors, including food delivery, ride-sharing, and e-commerce.

The funds generated from this fee will be allocated to healthcare and insurance programs designed to support gig workers, ensuring they have access to essential benefits.

While the companies involved will not profit directly from the fee, consumers may notice a slight increase in their expenses. The additional 1 to 2 percent could raise the cost of orders, potentially impacting frequent users of these services. However, the overall increase is expected to be minimal, with the primary focus on safeguarding the welfare of the gig economy's workforce.

According to the Moneycontrol report, this initiative follows the introduction of the draft "Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2024" in June this year, which aims to provide crucial social protections for this expanding segment of the workforce.

The proposed bill will extend its reach beyond well-known platforms like Zomato and Swiggy to include services such as Rapido, Dunzo, Zepto, and Porter. It will encompass various sectors, including ride-sharing, food and grocery delivery, logistics, and e-marketplaces.

The Karnataka cabinet is scheduled to discuss the bill on October 24, with the potential for it to be introduced in the winter session of the state assembly later in December, as reported.