{"id":34932,"date":"2025-01-06T18:25:47","date_gmt":"2025-01-06T12:55:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=34932"},"modified":"2025-01-06T20:39:59","modified_gmt":"2025-01-06T15:09:59","slug":"enhancing-social-security-for-unorganised-workers-role-of-e-shram","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/editorial-analysis\/06-01-2025\/enhancing-social-security-for-unorganised-workers-role-of-e-shram","title":{"rendered":"Enhancing Social Security for Unorganised Workers: Role of e-Shram"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Economy, Social Security<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The<strong> Ministry of Labour &amp; Employment (MoL&amp;E) <\/strong>recently claimed that, with over 300 million workers registered, the <strong>e-Shram portal<\/strong> is the largest database of unorganised workers in the world.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Background<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In view of the pathetic condition and exodus of migrant workers during the pandemic, the Supreme Court of India had directed the Union government to <strong>build a national database of workers.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Subsequently, the <strong>e-Shram Portal was started by the MoL&amp;E in May 2021<\/strong> with the objective of creating a national database of this labour force.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The registration in the <strong>portal is fully Aadhaar verified and Aadhaar seeded<\/strong>. Any unorganised worker can register himself or herself on the portal on a self-declaration basis.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It allows an <strong>unorganised worker to register himself or herself on the portal <\/strong>on self-declaration basis, under 400 occupations in 30 broad occupation sectors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Current Challenges<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Eligibility Exclusion:<\/strong> Many migrant workers lack necessary documentation (e.g., Aadhaar, ration card).\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Issues with mobile numbers not linked to Aadhaar, or absence of a permanent mobile number.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inadequate documentation excludes these workers from e-Shram registration and associated benefits.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Functionality of the e-Shram Portal: <\/strong>Operates primarily as a registration drive, with limited focus on ensuring access to social security benefits.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Many registered workers remain excluded from entitlements like ration cards and food security.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vulnerability of Migrant Workers:<\/strong> High mobility leads to disenfranchisement, stigma, trafficking, and poor access to public services.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Migrant workers, especially seasonal and circular migrants, are among the most vulnerable segments of the unorganised workforce.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gender Disparities:<\/strong> Despite a 53.59% female worker registration rate, structural inequalities persist.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Women workers face additional challenges, necessitating gender-sensitive approaches in social security schemes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Data Disaggregation:<\/strong> The need for detailed data disaggregation based on factors like gender, region, and migration patterns is not adequately addressed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Significance of e-Shram Portal<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Social Security:<\/strong> To provide a platform for unorganized workers to access social security schemes like pensions, insurance, healthcare, and other welfare benefits.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Data-Driven Interventions:<\/strong> The database will enable the government to understand the needs and challenges faced by unorganized workers, leading to more targeted and effective policies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Empowerment:<\/strong> By providing a unique identity and access to social security, the portal aims to empower unorganized workers and improve their quality of life.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Disaster Relief:<\/strong> In times of crisis, the database can be used to quickly identify and provide assistance to affected workers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Policy Formulation:<\/strong> The data collected through the portal can be used to inform and refine labor policies, including minimum wages, working conditions, and occupational safety.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>One-Stop Solution (OSS) Initiative<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The recently launched <strong>OSS aims to address these challenges <\/strong>by integrating welfare schemes like <strong>One Nation One Ration Card, MGNREGA, and PM Shram Yogi Maandhan<\/strong> into the e-Shram portal.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The initiative focuses on linking domains like pensions, insurance, housing, and skill development, creating a more comprehensive safety net for workers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Recommendations<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Address Documentation Issues: <\/strong>Simplify registration procedures and provide assistance to workers who lack necessary documents.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Prioritize Social Security: <\/strong>Shift focus from mere registration to ensuring access to social security benefits for all registered workers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Data Disaggregation:<\/strong> Collect and analyze data on migrant workers based on various factors to better understand their needs and tailor policies accordingly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Promote Portability of Benefits:<\/strong> Facilitate the transfer of social security benefits across states to ensure seamless access for inter-state migrants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gender-Sensitive Approach:<\/strong> Implement gender-sensitive policies and programs to address the specific needs and challenges faced by women workers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Focus on Human Development:<\/strong> Shift focus from viewing migrants as a burden to recognizing them as assets and prioritizing their human development.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The e-Shram portal has the potential to be a valuable tool for improving the lives of unorganized workers and migrants in India.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>However, addressing the challenges and implementing the recommendations is crucial to ensure its success and achieve the goal of a more inclusive and equitable society.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Daily Mains Practice Question<\/strong><br><strong>[Q] <\/strong>The portability of welfare schemes is critical for the inclusion of interstate migrant workers. Discuss the need and challenges for achieving this through initiatives like the e-Shram portal.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: IE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/UPSC-Editorial-Analysis-06-January-2025-PDF.pdf\">Download PDF<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Ministry of Labour &#038; Employment (MoL&#038;E) recently claimed that, with over 300 million workers registered, the e-Shram portal is the largest database of unorganised workers in the world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34932","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-editorial-analysis"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34932","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34932"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34932\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34938,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34932\/revisions\/34938"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34932"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34932"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34932"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}