The Government of Maharashtra has mandated a stricter and compulsory verification process for lakhs of gig and delivery workers operating across Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, amid a growing political row over alleged illegal immigration.
The directive was issued by Labour Minister Akash Fundkar following a high-level meeting with the Home Department at Mantralaya on April 7. The government has asked digital platforms to move beyond “faceless onboarding” and assume full legal responsibility for verifying the credentials and background of workers.
The order applies to delivery partners associated with major aggregators such as Swiggy, Zomato, and Blinkit.
The policy comes in the backdrop of allegations made by Kirit Somaiya, who claimed that undocumented immigrants, including individuals from Bangladesh and Rohingya communities, were entering the delivery workforce using forged documents.
The issue has quickly escalated into a political flashpoint, especially with elections approaching in states like West Bengal and Assam, where illegal immigration remains a sensitive and polarising topic.
Opposition leaders have criticised the allegations, with Abu Azmi accusing the BJP of indulging in “politics of polarisation”. He argued that if infiltration was indeed occurring, it reflected lapses in border security under the Centre, and suggested that the issue be taken up with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Meanwhile, concerns have also emerged from within the gig economy regarding loopholes in the onboarding process. Delivery workers have pointed out that third-party agencies often bypass physical verification, allowing individuals to operate using rented or shared identities.
Officials said the new framework will require aggregator platforms to register with cyber authorities, introduce QR code-based identification systems for workers, and submit quarterly audit reports to the police.
The measures are aimed at strengthening background verification and ensuring public safety, even as the broader debate over immigration, employment, and accountability continues to intensify.
