Over 30.4 Crore Informal Workers Registered on e-Shram Portal
The Indian government has announced that more than 30.4 crore unorganised workers have registered on the e-Shram portal as of December 1, 2024.
The platform, launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment on August 26, 2021, aims to create a comprehensive National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW) linked with Aadhaar, providing workers with a Universal Account Number (UAN) for access to various welfare schemes.
Major Milestone in Informal Sector Inclusion
In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje highlighted the scale of the registration, with 27.22 crore workers hailing from rural areas. The portal facilitates self-registration for unorganised workers across India, ensuring that millions from the informal sector gain visibility and access to social security schemes.
The e-Shram initiative represents a significant step in bridging the gap between the informal workforce and government welfare programs, enabling targeted interventions to support their socio-economic well-being.
Integration with Key Welfare Schemes
The e-Shram portal is now integrated with 12 welfare schemes from various central ministries and departments, expanding the benefits available to registered workers. Some of the major schemes linked to the platform include:
- Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)
- Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)
- Ayushman Bharat
- PM Street Vendors AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM-SVANidhi)
- PM Awas Yojana
These integrations ensure seamless access to essential social security measures, such as health insurance, life insurance, housing, and financial assistance for self-employment.
Advancing Worker Welfare
The e-Shram initiative is designed to empower the unorganised sector, which constitutes a significant portion of India’s workforce, by providing them with a robust digital identity and access to welfare programs. By creating this centralised database, the government aims to improve policy-making, streamline benefit delivery, and uplift informal workers across the country.
With its focus on rural workers and integration with vital welfare schemes, e-Shram is poised to become a transformative platform in India’s efforts to formalise and support its unorganised workforce. The milestone of 30.4 crore registrations underscores the portal’s role in enabling inclusive growth and social security.
