E-Shram Portal | General Awareness for SSC CGL PDF Download

Introduction

The e-Shram Portal, launched on August 26, 2021, by the Government of India, is a national digital platform designed to create a comprehensive database of unorganized workers in India. Managed by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the portal aims to provide social security benefits, improve access to government schemes, and enhance employability for workers in the unorganized sector. It targets workers such as construction workers, migrant laborers, street vendors, domestic workers, and agricultural laborers, ensuring they receive welfare benefits and are integrated into the formal economy. The e-Shram Portal aligns with initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat and Skill India to empower India’s informal workforce.

Objectives of e-Shram Portal

1. Create a National Database: Register unorganized workers to create a centralized, digital database for better policy planning and welfare delivery.
2. Provide Social Security: Facilitate access to social security schemes like health insurance, pensions, and accident benefits.
3. Enhance Employability: Link workers to skill development and job opportunities through integration with government programs.
4. Ensure Welfare Access: Enable workers to avail benefits from schemes like PMJJBY, PMSBY, and MGNREGA.
5. Support Migrant Workers: Address vulnerabilities of migrant workers by providing identity and access to services across states.
6. Promote Financial Inclusion: Link workers to banking services and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for seamless welfare delivery.
7. Improve Policy Implementation: Use data analytics to tailor labor policies and monitor scheme effectiveness.

Key Features of e-Shram Portal

Universal Account Number (UAN):

• Each registered worker receives a 12-digit e-Shram Card with a unique UAN, linked to Aadhaar for identification.
• The card is portable, enabling workers to access benefits nationwide.

Target Beneficiaries:

• Unorganized workers aged 16-59 years, not covered by EPFO or ESIC.
• Includes construction workers, street vendors, domestic workers, agricultural laborers, migrant workers, and gig workers.
• Priority for marginalized groups like SC/ST, women, and migrant laborers.

Registration Process:

• Free registration through the e-Shram Portal (eshram.gov.in), Common Service Centres (CSCs), or State Seva Kendras.
• Requires Aadhaar number, mobile number, and bank account details for KYC.
• Self-registration or assisted registration via CSCs and Anganwadi workers.

Social Security Benefits:

1. Integration with schemes like:
   • Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY): Life insurance of ₹2 lakh.
   • Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY): Accidental insurance of ₹2 lakh.
   • Ayushman Bharat: Health coverage up to ₹5 lakh per family.
   • Atal Pension Yojana (APY): Pension benefits for unorganized workers.
2. Access to food security schemes like PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.

Skill and Employment Opportunities:

• Links workers to Skill India and PMKVY for vocational training.
• Job-matching through integration with National Career Service (NCS) portal.
• Support for self-employment via MUDRA loans and Stand-Up India.

Digital Infrastructure:

• e-Shram Portal provides real-time registration, tracking, and benefit delivery.
• Mobile app for workers to update details, access services, and check scheme eligibility.
• Integration with Aadhaar and DBT for seamless subsidy transfers.

Financial Inclusion:

• Mandatory bank account linkage for DBT of welfare benefits.
• Over 90% of registered workers linked to Jan Dhan accounts.

Migrant Worker Support:

• Portability of benefits across states, addressing challenges faced by migrant workers.
• Helplines and grievance redressal for interstate workers.

Convergence with Other Schemes:

• Integration with MGNREGA, PMAY, PMJDY, and Ujjwala Yojana for holistic welfare.
• Collaboration with state governments for localized welfare schemes.

Awareness and Outreach:

• Campaigns through CSCs, Gram Panchayats, and SHGs to promote registration.
• Use of regional languages and mobile vans for awareness in rural areas.

Implementation Structure

Central Level:

• Ministry of Labour and Employment oversees the e-Shram Portal.
• National Steering Committee monitors implementation and policy alignment.
• Coordination with Ministries of Rural Development, Housing, and Skill Development.

State Level:

• State Labour Departments facilitate registration and benefit delivery.
• State-level task forces ensure coordination with CSCs and local bodies.

District Level:

• District Labour Officers manage registration drives and grievance redressal.
• District-level committees monitor progress and outreach.

Village/Community Level:

• Common Service Centres (CSCs), Anganwadi workers, and ASHA workers assist in registration.
• Gram Panchayats and SHGs promote awareness and enrollment.

Technology Partners:

• National Informatics Centre (NIC) manages the e-Shram Portal and database.
• Collaboration with banks and insurance providers for benefit delivery.

Key Achievements of e-Shram Portal

Registrations:

• Over 30 crore unorganized workers registered as of September 2023.
• Highest registrations from states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.

Social Security Coverage:

• Over 15 crore workers enrolled in PMJJBY and PMSBY insurance schemes.
• 5 crore workers linked to Ayushman Bharat for health coverage.

Financial Inclusion:

• Over 25 crore workers linked to bank accounts, boosting DBT efficiency.
• Significant increase in Jan Dhan account openings for unorganized workers.

Migrant Worker Support:

• Over 5 crore migrant workers registered, ensuring access to benefits across states.
• Helped during crises like COVID-19 with food and financial aid.

Skill and Employment:

• Over 2 crore workers linked to skill training programs under PMKVY.
• Job opportunities facilitated for 50 lakh workers via NCS portal.

Women Participation:

• Over 40% of registered workers are women, promoting gender inclusion.
• Special focus on women in domestic work and agriculture.

Challenges of e-Shram Portal

Awareness Gaps:

• Limited awareness among rural and tribal workers about registration and benefits.
• Low digital literacy hindering self-registration in remote areas.

Data Accuracy:

• Errors in Aadhaar or bank account details causing delays in benefit delivery.
• Challenges in updating worker details due to migration or job changes.

Coverage Gaps:

• Some unorganized workers, especially in informal sectors like street vending, remain unregistered.
• Slow registration in North-Eastern and hilly regions.

Benefit Utilization:

• Low uptake of insurance and pension schemes due to lack of awareness or affordability.
• Delays in DBT transfers in areas with poor banking infrastructure.

Digital Divide:

• Limited internet access and digital devices in rural areas.
• Dependence on CSCs for registration creates bottlenecks.

Interstate Coordination:

• Challenges in ensuring portability of benefits for migrant workers across states.

Recent Developments and Initiatives

e-Shram 2.0 (2023):

• Enhanced portal features for real-time benefit tracking and grievance redressal.
• Integration with AI-based job-matching and skill gap analysis tools.

Mobile App Upgrades:

• New features for workers to update details, check scheme eligibility, and book training.
• Multilingual support for accessibility in regional languages.

Convergence with Gig Economy:

• Inclusion of gig and platform workers (e.g., delivery agents, cab drivers) in the portal.
• Pilot projects to provide social security to gig workers.

Outreach Campaigns:

• Nationwide drives like “Shramik Sampark Abhiyan” to boost registrations.
• Collaboration with trade unions and NGOs for grassroots outreach.

Linkages with New Schemes:

• Integration with PM Vishwakarma Scheme for artisans and craftsmen.
• Support for workers under Atmanirbhar Bharat’s PLI schemes.

Data Analytics:

• Use of e-Shram data for policy planning and labor market analysis.
• Mapping of worker demographics to tailor welfare programs.

Impact of e-Shram Portal

Social Impact:

• Empowered unorganized workers by providing identity and access to welfare schemes.
• Improved living standards for marginalized communities through social security.

Economic Impact:

• Enhanced employability through skill training and job linkages.
• Boosted financial inclusion via bank account linkages and DBT.

Health Impact:

• Increased access to health insurance and medical care via Ayushman Bharat.
• Reduced financial burden from accidents and health emergencies.

Migrant Worker Welfare:

• Provided portability of benefits, ensuring support for interstate migrants.
• Mitigated vulnerabilities during crises like COVID-19.

Policy Impact:

• Created a robust database for evidence-based labor policies.
• Strengthened India’s commitment to social security and SDG 8 (Decent Work).

Monitoring and Evaluation

e-Shram Dashboard:

• Tracks registrations, benefit disbursals, and worker demographics in real-time.
• Monitors state and district-level progress.

Third-Party Audits:

• Independent evaluations by NITI Aayog and labor organizations.
• Surveys on worker satisfaction and benefit uptake.

Grievance Redressal:

• Toll-free helpline (14434) and portal for complaints.
• District-level labor offices for quick resolution.

Data Analytics:

• AI-driven analysis to identify gaps in coverage and benefit delivery.
• Regular updates to ensure data accuracy.

Conclusion

The e-Shram Portal has been a game-changer in formalizing India’s unorganized workforce, providing over 30 crore workers with access to social security, skill development, and job opportunities. By creating a national database and integrating with welfare schemes, it has empowered marginalized workers, especially women and migrants, while promoting financial inclusion. Despite challenges like awareness gaps and digital divides, recent upgrades like e-Shram 2.0 and enhanced outreach are strengthening its impact. The portal is a vital step toward achieving Atmanirbhar Bharat’s vision of inclusive growth and social equity, ensuring unorganized workers are recognized and supported in India’s development journey.