The integration of eShram with employment and social security initiatives underscores a holistic approach to workforce development in India. By bridging gaps between unorganised workers and government schemes, the platform seeks to improve economic resilience among vulnerable populations.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment’s eShram portal, launched on August 26, 2021, has registered over 30.43 crore unorganised workers as of December 1, 2024. Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Shobha Karandlaje, shared this information in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. The minister said that this milestone reflects a significant step toward creating a comprehensive National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW) and integrating these workers into various social security and welfare programs.

Empowering Unorganised Workers with eShram

The eShram portal, accessible at eshram.gov.in, provides unorganised workers with a Universal Account Number (UAN) based on self-declaration. The initiative aims to streamline access to government schemes, skilling opportunities, and social security measures, thus empowering unorganised workers. A majority of the registrations – 27.22 crore – are from rural areas, highlighting the portal’s wide reach among India’s informal workforce.

To further support unorganised workers, the Ministry has undertaken several initiatives:

• Integration with Key Platforms: eShram is linked with the National Career Service (NCS) and Skill India Digital Portal for employment and skilling opportunities. It also connects with the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PMSYM) pension scheme and the myScheme portal for one-stop access to government benefits.
• Awareness Campaigns: The Ministry uses SMS campaigns, social media platforms, and Common Service Centres (CSCs) to educate workers about the portal. Additionally, the Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG) app facilitates registration and updates via mobile phones.
• Launch of One-Stop-Solution: On October 21, 2024, the Ministry introduced eShram – “One-Stop-Solution,” which integrates 12 central government schemes, including Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Ayushman Bharat, and MGNREGA, into the portal.

These measures aim to improve the social security coverage and livelihood opportunities for India’s vast unorganised workforce.

Positive Employment Indicators

India’s employment landscape has also shown notable improvements, according to the latest Annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). Between 2017-18 and 2023-24, the Worker Population Ratio (WPR) increased from 46.8 per cent to 58.2 per cent, while the unemployment rate dropped from 6.0 per cent to 3.2 per cent. These trends highlight a growing formalisation of the job market and expanding employment opportunities.

Key developments in employment include:

• Rising Workforce Participation: As per the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE), the number of workers in the unorganised sector grew from 9.79 crore in 2021-22 to 10.96 crore in 2022-23.
• Growth in EPFO Subscribers: Over seven crore new subscribers joined the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) between September 2017 and September 2024, reflecting an increase in formal employment.
• Substantial Employment Growth: The KLEMS database published by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) indicates that employment grew by 17.18 crore, from 47.15 crore in 2014-15 to 64.33 crore in 2023-24.

Government Initiatives for Employment Generation

The government has prioritised employment generation and employability through various schemes and programs implemented by multiple ministries. Notable initiatives include:

• Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP): Focused on creating micro-enterprises.
• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS): Providing wage employment in rural areas.
• Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY): Offering loans to small businesses.
• Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY): Promoting skill development for rural youth.

Additionally, the government announced a five-year employment and skilling package in the 2024-25 Union Budget. This initiative targets 4.1 crore youth with an outlay of ₹2 lakh crore, aiming to create a robust ecosystem for job creation and skills enhancement.

A Holistic Approach to Workforce Development

The integration of eShram with employment and social security initiatives underscores a holistic approach to workforce development in India. By bridging gaps between unorganised workers and government schemes, the platform seeks to improve economic resilience among vulnerable populations.

Furthermore, the positive employment indicators, driven by concerted policy efforts and formalisation of jobs, point toward a brighter future for India’s labour market. With rising registrations on eShram and an expanding workforce, the government’s multifaceted strategy appears to be yielding results, fostering inclusivity and growth for workers across the nation.

Shobha Karandlaje’s remarks in the Rajya Sabha shed light on these significant milestones, reinforcing the government’s commitment to improving the lives of millions of workers and building a more equitable and dynamic economy.