‘Gig workers’ livelihoods have to be secured,’ says KTR as Flipkart opens new FC in Sangareddy

‘Gig workers’ livelihood have to be secured’

On the occasion, KTR spoke about securing the livelihoods of people working in the e-commerce market and their families.

“It’s our duty to see to it that they are not affected by factors extraneous or beyond their control. We should build credibility, and aspiration among youngsters to work in the e-commerce sector,” he said.

Telangana IT Minister KTR inaugrates Flipkart’s new fulfillment center in Sangareddy. (Supplied)

KTR called for creating a unique model that will serve as a statement from Telangana across the country.

“A model that includes a tripartite arrangement — between the government, e-commerce companies, and marketing vendors and partners — to safeguard the livelihoods of the gig workers,” he explained.

He stated that while the state government wanted industries to create employment opportunities, it would not compromise on workers’ rights.

“Quality and compliance will not only apply only to goods and services, but also to human resources. We should ensure there are no sweatshops in Telangana, or in India,” he said.

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The Flipkart facility

The new facility is spread over 4 lakh square feet. It aims to empower local sellers, employable youth, and customers while making e-commerce more inclusive and accessible.

Welcoming Flipkart’s investment in Telangana, KTR noted that digitisation had enhanced prospects for local economies to grow and thrive, and this is being reinforced by e-commerce.

Telangana Minister KTR, CEO of Flipkart Group Kalyan Krishnamurthy and others at launch of Flipkart FC in Sangareddy. (Supplied)

“I appreciate Flipkart’s ongoing endeavours to create a conducive growth environment for MSMEs and welcome its investments in the state,” he said.

“The new facility by Flipkart will strengthen pan-India market access for local sellers and encourage many of our local communities to become a part of the digital revolution,” added the BRS leader.

Stating that Flipkart had made significant investments in Telangana over the years to create growth opportunities for sellers, MSMEs, artisans, kiranas, and other ecosystem partners, the company’s CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy said, “We hope that the establishment of the Sangareddy facility will give a further boost to entrepreneurs in the state and strengthen their integration with the national market.”

Flipkart’s investments in Telangana

Flipkart has established six fulfilment centres in Telangana. They deal in products including home appliances, furniture, large appliances, and grocery.

With close to 100 distribution hubs in the state, it is said to collectively generate over 40,000 job opportunities.

Also, nearly 5,000 kiranas in Telangana are associated with Flipkart’s Kirana Delivery programme, making lakhs of deliveries.

Last year, Flipkart signed an MoU with the Society for the Elimination of Rural Poverty to promote market access and growth for farmer-producer organisations and self-help groups in Telangana to enable them access to Flipkart’s pan-India customer base.

Flipkart also has a green data centre in the state, powered by renewable energy.

IT and Industries Minister @KTRBRS virtually inaugurated @Flipkart’s Fulfillment Center (FC) along with the Flipkart Group’s CEO @_Kalyan_K .

The new FC of India's homegrown e-commerce marketplace is located in Sangareddy.#InvestTelangana pic.twitter.com/CSd8qRChaG

— KTR, Former Minister (@MinisterKTR) May 2, 2023