- On 23rd October 2024, eShram portal successfully integrated 12 welfare schemes from various Central Ministries and Departments, enhancing its capacity to support unorganised workers in India.
- The eShram-One Stop Solution portal under Ministry of Labour & Employment, initiated by the Central Government on August 26, 2021, is designed to create a centralized database for unorganised workers in India.

Key Features of e-Shram
- The eShram portal now consolidates 12 different government schemes, making it easier for unorganised workers to access multiple benefits in one place.
- The government is encouraging States and Union Territories to include their own schemes, broadening the benefits available on the platform.
- The main goal is to provide a Universal Account Number (UAN) to unorganised workers, facilitating straightforward access to various welfare programs.
- The portal serves as a centralized database, helping eligible workers navigate the schemes and benefits designed for them.
- Services are offered in several regional languages to enhance accessibility.
- Outreach programs are conducted to raise awareness about how to register on the portal and access benefits.
- Since its launch, over 30 crore unorganised workers have registered on the eShram portal as of October 2024, demonstrating its widespread acceptance.
- Enrollment data includes approximately 15.68 crore female, 13.84 crore male, and 6,461 other gender workers.
- Key welfare schemes such as One Nation One Ration Card, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, National Social Assistance Programme, National Career Service, Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan etc. have been integrated with e-Shram.
Importance of e-Shram
- The eShram portal plays a critical role in informing unorganised workers about their entitlements and helping them access social security measures.
- According to the 2021-22 Economic Survey, about 43.99 crore of the 53.53 crore total workforce is employed in the unorganised sector, underscoring the need for such initiatives.
- By integrating multiple schemes, the portal simplifies the process for workers and helps ensure that they can access a wider range of benefits.
- The eShram portal enhances awareness among unorganised workers regarding available welfare schemes, contributing to better social support and coverage for this vulnerable demographic.
Conclusion
The e-Shram portal is a significant initiative aimed at modernizing the support systems for unorganised workers in India. By integrating multiple welfare schemes into a single platform, it enhances accessibility, promotes social security, and addresses the needs of one of the country's most vulnerable workforce segments. As awareness and outreach efforts continue, the portal is expected to play an increasingly vital role in supporting unorganised workers and ensuring they receive the benefits they deserve.
