Improving Social Security for Unorganised Workers

Source: The post Improving Social Security for Unorganised Workers has been created, based on the article “Building a system that sees the migrant worker” published in “Indian Express” on 6th January 2025

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Governance-Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States.

Context: The article discusses the e-Shram portal, launched to register unorganised workers, highlighting its potential to improve social security. Despite efforts like the One-Stop Solution (OSS), challenges remain in addressing exclusions, portability, gender sensitivity, and effective implementation. Improving Social Security for Unorganised Workers

What is the e-Shram Portal?

1. The e-Shram portal was launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E) in May 2021. It aims to create a national database of unorganised workers, including migrant workers.
2. Over 300 million workers are registered on the platform, making it the largest database of unorganised workers globally.

For more detailed information on e-Shram Portal read this article here

Why Was a National Worker Database Needed?

1. Pandemic Crisis: The exodus and distress of migrant workers during COVID-19 highlighted their vulnerability.
2. Supreme Court Directive: Instructed the Union government to create a national database for workers.
3. Existing Recommendations Ignored:

• The Interstate Migrant Workmen Act (1979) mandated worker registration but was poorly implemented.
• The National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector (2007) proposed universal registration for migrant workers.
• The Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act (2008) suggested issuing identity cards.

WhatQ Is the One-Stop Solution (OSS)?

1. The One-Stop Solution (OSS) was launched in October by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
2. It integrates social security schemes with the e-Shram portal, helping migrant and unorganised workers access welfare programs.
3. Key schemes linked include One Nation One Ration Card, MGNREGA, and PM Shram Yogi Maandhan.
4. More schemes like PM Matru Vandana Yojana and Shramik Suraksha Yojana will be added soon.
5. It ensures benefits such as pensions, insurance, housing, skill development, and food security.

OSS aims to make registration easier and connect workers to welfare programs.

For more detailed information on e-Shram Portal read this article here

What Are the Key Concerns?

1. Exclusion due to Lack of Documents: Many workers lack basic identity proofs, such as Aadhaar or permanent mobile numbers.
2. Gender Sensitivity: Women constitute 53.59% of registered workers, highlighting the need for gender-sensitive policies.
3. Portability of Welfare Schemes: Migrants need entitlements that can be accessed across states.
4. Diverse Needs of Migrants: Migrant workers are not a homogeneous category — there is substantial socio-cultural, regional, demographic, and economic diversity. It is essential to map out migrants’ profiles in detail.
5. Focus on Human Development: Workers must be viewed as assets, and schemes should focus on long-term outcomes rather than subsidies.

What Is the Way Forward?

1. Migrants and workers are vital to the Indian economy and must be included in development policies.
2. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasizes the need for better governance of migration.
3. The MoL&E must address gaps in the e-Shram portal, OSS, and social security systems to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat.

Question for practice:

Examine how the e-Shram portal and the One-Stop Solution (OSS) address the challenges faced by unorganised and migrant workers in India.