Thiruvananthapuram: Providing relief to gig workers, including online delivery personnel who toil through harsh sun and rain, the Kerala government is setting up free rest centres across the state. Implemented as part of the government's 100-day action programme, the first phase will see rest areas opened in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode.

The Labour Department confirmed that these facilities will become operational by September 20, with the government allocating ₹90 lakh for the initiative.

The rest hubs will operate 24 hours a day. Facilities will include beds for resting, clean washrooms, drinking water and televisions for entertainment.

Services will be made available to gig workers free of charge. While these rest centres will initially function out of rented buildings, the project will soon be expanded to all districts. As part of the expansion, the department eventually aims to construct its own modern rest spaces utilising container-block structures.

It may be recalled that the 2026 Kerala Budget had set aside ₹20 crore for establishing a state-of-the-art Gig Hub equipped with modern amenities.