E-Shram Portal: World’s Largest Database of Unorganised Workers

Ministry of Labour & Employment

E-Shram Portal: World’s Largest Database of Unorganised Workers

From registration to recognition, a revolutionary journey

Posted On: 19 DEC 2024 7:44PM by PIB Delhi

Introduction to the E-Shram Portal

The E-Shram Portal is a flagship initiative by the Government of India to support and empower the unorganized workforce, which forms the backbone of the nation’s economy. Launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment on 26^th August 2021, this portal is designed to create a comprehensive National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW), verified and seeded with Aadhaar, enabling the delivery of targeted welfare schemes and benefits. By leveraging technology, the E-Shram Portal ensures that workers gain access to social security, job opportunities, and financial inclusion, fostering a more equitable and resilient labor ecosystem. Registration on the E-Shram portal is free of cost. A total of Rs. 704.01 crores were allocated for NDUW for the period FY 2019-20 to FY 2024-25.

By December 19, 2024, the E-Shram portal has 30,48,02,313 registrations. Beneficiaries can register themselves by visiting e-SHRAM portal (www.eshram.gov.in) or by visiting nearest Common Services Centres (CSCs) & State Seva Kendras (SSKs).

Objectives of E-Shram Portal

• Establish a centralized database of unorganized workers for effective policy implementation.
• Enhance access to social security schemes and benefits for workers in sectors such as agriculture, construction, domestic work, and street vending.
• Facilitate job matching and skill development opportunities.
• Strengthen labor market resilience by integrating unorganized workers into the formal economy.
• Promote financial inclusion through direct benefit transfers and digital payments.

Key Features of the E-Shram Portal

The E-Shram Portal offers several user-centric features:

1. Universal Account Number (UAN): Registered workers receive a UAN linked to their Aadhaar, enabling seamless access to benefits.
2. Single Registration Process: The portal streamlines the registration process, requiring minimal documentation such as Aadhaar and bank account details. The ease of self-registration is also available to the beneficiaries.
3. Multilingual Support: Workers from diverse regions can access the portal in multiple Indian languages, ensuring inclusivity.
4. Grievance Redressal Mechanism: A dedicated helpline and support system address workers’ queries and grievances promptly.
5. Integration with Employment and Skill Opportunities: Registered workers can connect with employment opportunities, skilling, apprenticeship, pension schemes, digital skilling, and state-specific schemes through the portal.
6. Family Details for Migrant Workers: Family details for migrant workers are captured, aiding in the provision of child education and women-centric schemes for those who have migrated with their families.
7. Data Sharing with BOCW Welfare Boards: The data of construction workers registering on e-Shram is shared with the concerned Building and Other Construction Workers’ (BOCW) Welfare Boards, ensuring their registration with the respective boards and access to schemes meant for them.
8. Data Sharing Portal (DSP): A Data Sharing Portal has been launched to allow the secure sharing of e-Shram beneficiary data with State and Union Territory governments. facilitating the targeted implementation of social security and welfare schemes for registered unorganised workers.

Eligibility for Registering on E-Shram Portal

To register on the E-Shram Portal, workers must meet the following criteria:

• Be aged between 16 and 59 years.
• Be employed in the unorganized sector, including self-employed individuals, daily wage laborers, and gig workers.
• Possess an Aadhaar card, a valid mobile number linked to Aadhaar, and a bank account.
• Not be a member of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) or Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).

Benefits of the E-Shram Portal

Key Development with respect to the E-Shram Portal

1. Integration of Gati Shakti Portal with E-Shram Portal

The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan entails creation of a common umbrella platform of infrastructure projects, pertaining to various Ministries/ Departments, incorporated with a comprehensive database, for efficient planning and implementation, on a real-time basis. The integration of the E-Shram Portal with the Gati Shakti Portal marks a significant milestone in enhancing worker welfare and economic growth. By aligning infrastructure development with workforce planning, this integration ensures that employment opportunities are generated in tandem with large-scale projects. Workers registered on the E-Shram Portal can now access job openings linked to Gati Shakti initiatives, promoting equitable economic participation.

2. International Accolades

The E-Shram Portal has gained international recognition for its innovative approach to addressing labor market challenges. The portal’s emphasis on inclusivity and digital empowerment has been highlighted as a best practice in workforce management.

• Geneva, Switzerland: The Indian delegation to the 112^th International Labour Conference (ILC) showcased the e-Shram portal and its present integrations and achievements. The e-Shram portal and effort by the Ministry in its development were well appreciated by the delegates of different member States at ILC.
• The 4^th Employment Working Group (EWG) Meeting under India’s G20 Presidency: India made a presentation on e-Shram, the world’s largest database of unorganised workers and National Career Service (NCS) Portal. This presentation was also shared with the international delegates who expressed interest and curiosity on India’s achievement on these fronts.

3. Integration with Central Ministries/Departments 

So far, 12 schemes of different Central Ministries / Departments have already been integrated/ mapped with the e-Shram including Pradhan Mantri Surakhsa Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Prime Minister Street Vendors AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM-SVANidhi), PM Awas Yojana- Urban (PMAY-U), PM Awas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

4. Integration with other portals

The Union Budget 2024-25, under labour reforms proposed that e-Shram portal would be integrated with other portals to provide one-stop labour services solution and will include mechanism to connect job-seekers with potential employers and skill providers.

• E-Shram has been integrated with National Career Service (NCS) Portal. An unorganised worker can register on NCS using his/her UAN and search for suitable job opportunities.
• E-Shram is integrated with Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM). PM-SYM is a pension scheme for unorganised workers who are aged between 18-40 years. It provides a monthly pension of Rs. 3000/- after attaining the age of 60 years. Using UAN any unorganised worker can easily enroll under PMSYM. In the scheme 50 percent of the contribution is borne by the Government of India and the rest is being contributed by the worker.
• To provide skill enhancement and apprenticeship opportunities to unorganised worker, e-Shram has been integrated with Skill India Digital portal of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
• E-Shram is also integrated with myScheme portal. myScheme is a National Platform that aims to offer one-stop search and discovery of the Government schemes. It provides an innovative, technology-based solution to discover scheme information based upon the eligibility of the citizen.

5. E-Shram One-Stop-Solution

The Ministry of Labour and Employment launched the e-Shram- “One-Stop-Solution” on 21st October 2024. E-Shram- “One-Stop-Solution” entails integration of different social security/welfare schemes at single portal i.e., e-Shram. This enables unorganised workers registered on e-Shram to access social security schemes and see benefits availed by them so far, through e-Shram.

6. E-Shram Integrated with UMANG Mobile Application 

E-Shram has been integrated with UMANG mobile application to provide on-the-go registration and facilities to unorganised workers. As of December 19, 2024, 19049 registrations were done via UMANG application.

Top 5 States with E-Shram Registrations

As on December 19, 2024, there were 30,48,02,313 registrations on the e-Shram portal. The data was also made available in the Lok Sabha about the registrations on e-Shram in every state and union territories. The details thereof are attached in the annexure below.

The top five states with the greatest number of e-Shram registrations are: Uttar Pradesh (8,37,45,287 registrations), Bihar (2,95,88,748 registrations), West Bengal (2,64,06,322 registrations), Madhya Pradesh (1,84,48,886 registrations) and Maharashtra (1,73,33,185 registrations).

Conclusion

In October 2024, on an average about 60,000 registrations happened on e-Shram per day. The E-Shram Portal is a groundbreaking initiative that underscores India’s dedication to empowering its unorganized workforce. By providing a unified platform for registration, benefits, and job opportunities, the portal addresses long-standing gaps in the labor market. With over 30 crore workers already registered, the E-Shram Portal is well on its way to transforming the lives of millions and building a stronger, more resilient workforce for the future.

References

Annexure 1

State/UT wise registration of unorganised workers on e-Shram portal as on 19.12.2024:

Click here to see PDF.

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Santosh Kumar/ Sarla Meena/ Rishita Aggarwal

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