KTR opens Flipkart FC, moots tripartite deal to safeguard gig workers

HYDERABAD: Telangana IT Minister Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao (KTR) on Tuesday mooted a tripartite arrangement involving the Telangana government as part of a unique model to foster gig economy by securing the livelihoods of gig workers.

KTR virtually launched a new fulfillment Centre of e-commerce giant Flipkart in Sangareddy. Telangana IT Secretary Jayesh Ranjan and Flipkart Group CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy were among those present. Speaking on this occasion, the minister stressed the need to safeguard the livelihoods of gig workers, who play a vital role in the success of e-commerce businesses and wanted e-commerce giants like Flipkart to make pioneering moves to this effect.

“Let’s create a unique model that will serve as a statement from Telangana. A model that includes a tripartite arrangement, among Government, e-commerce companies and marketing vendors and, of course, their partners, to safeguard the livelihoods of the gig workers. As a market leader in India, Flipkart should lead this from the front,” he said.

Speaking at length about securing livelihoods of people working in the e-commerce market, he said that while going along the journey in e-commerce business, the gig workers should be taken care of. Measures have to be taken to ensure that they feel secure while their livelihoods and families are protected, he added.

“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,” the minister said.

KTR asserted that while the State government wanted industries to create employment opportunities, it would not compromise on workers’ rights. The minister said that quality and compliance would not only apply to goods and services but also to human resources. “We should ensure there are no sweat shops in Telangana, or in India,” he added.

The IT Minister also commended Flipkart’s efforts that are beneficial for the growth of MSMEs in Telangana. “Digitization has enhanced prospects for local economies to grow and thrive and this is being reinforced by e-commerce. I appreciate Flipkart’s ongoing endeavours to create a conducive growth environment for MSMEs and welcome its investments in the state. 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,” he said.

Kalyan Krishnamurthy, Chief Executive Officer, Flipkart Group, said, “We recognize that building strong infrastructure is the backbone of e-commerce. It creates equitable opportunities for small and large businesses alike, helping reach millions of customers nationwide. In line with our commitment to the country’s economic progress, we have made important investments across India through upskilling opportunities, infrastructure and technological advancements. Over the years, we have made significant investments in Telangana to create growth opportunities for sellers, MSMEs, artisans, kiranas and our ecosystem partners. 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. We will continue leveraging the power of technology and our robust infrastructure to accelerate growth for India and its people.”

Flipkart expands its footprints in Telangana

Flipkart, India’s homegrown e-commerce marketplace, has expanded its footprints in Telangana and strengthened its supply chain infrastructure with the launch of the new fulfillment center (FC) in Sangareddy.

Spread over 4-lakh square feet, the FC will further Flipkart’s commitment to India’s digital commerce evolution by empowering local sellers, employable youth and customers while making e-commerce more inclusive and accessible. The new FC will support the delivery and logistics of a wide range of product categories, including furniture and large appliances. The FC provides access to a national market to thousands of Telangana’s local sellers and MSMEs who offer these products.

To date, Flipkart’s e-commerce platform has empowered more than 14,000 sellers in the state to join the mainstream economy and cater to the rising consumer demand in the country. Flipkart’s supply chain operations have also contributed to the growth of Telangana’s economy by creating over 40,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Some of Flipkart’s key investments in Telangana include the establishment of six fulfillment centers for making millions of products, including home appliances, furniture, large appliances, and grocery.