Government’s E-Shram Portal: A Database of Unorganised Sector Workers

The government has launched e-Shram portal, a database of unorganised sector workers and aims to register 38 crore unorganised workers, such as construction labourers, migrant workforce, street vendors and domestic workers, among others. The workers will be issued an

BY Realty Plus
Published - Friday, 27 Aug, 2021

Government’s E-Shram Portal: A Database of Unorganised Sector Workers

The government has launched e-Shram portal, a database of unorganised sector workers and aims to register 38 crore unorganised workers, such as construction labourers, migrant workforce, street vendors and domestic workers, among others. The workers will be issued an e-Shram card containing a 12 digit unique number, which, going ahead, will help in including them in social security schemes, officials said. Anuj Puri, Chairman - ANAROCK Property Consultants sharing his views stated, “It is noteworthy that the Indian real estate sector is the second largest employment generator in the country after agriculture – a large part of which comprises of the unorganised labourers. As per ANAROCK Research, in FY 2020, the total workforce in real estate (both skilled and unskilled) was approx. 60 million. Of this, 90% or 54 million were engaged in construction or building activity and nearly 80% of this 54 million (which is approx. 44 million) were unskilled labourers. In that regard, the move to launch e-Shram portal will be a welcome step and benefit not just the sector but one and all. Due to lack of formal data, many of the labourers have continued to be devoid of social benefits, as seen during the mass migration process during the pandemic-infused lockdowns.” As per the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the registration of workers on the portal will be coordinated by the Labour Ministry, state governments, trade unions and CSCs. Awareness campaigns would be planned across the country to enable nationwide registration of workers. The portal, workers from the unorganised sector can begin their registration from the same day. Of the launch A national toll free number will assist and address the queries of workers seeking registration on the portal. A worker can register on the portal using his/her Aadhaar card number and bank account details, apart from filling other necessary details like date of birth, home town, mobile number and social category. BK Malagi, CEO, Experion Developers commending the move said, “e-Shram portal is a great initiative towards including crores of unorganised workers in the social security schemes. It is a fact that a large number of unorganised workers in the country are employed in various verticals of the real estate industry particularly in construction. We as an industry should now come forward to encourage and help workers for an early registration on the portal. This will ensure they receive various benefits of government's welfare schemes.