The Ministry of Labour and Employment issued a press release on December 2nd 2024 regarding Benefits under E-Shram Card.
The Indian government has made significant strides in supporting the unorganised workforce through the eShram portal, a platform designed to provide access to various social security and welfare benefits. As of 26th November 2024, over 30.42 crore unorganised workers have registered on eShram, marking a major milestone in its success.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has integrated the eShram portal with several government initiatives, making it a one-stop solution for workers to access a wide array of benefits.
The latest features and benefits offered under the eShram portal:
1. Connecting Workers with Job Opportunities through NCS
One of the key integrations of eShram is with the National Career Service (NCS) Portal. Unorganised workers who have registered on eShram can now easily register on NCS using their Universal Account Number (UAN). This allows them to access job opportunities suited to their skills and experience. The eShram portal also provides a direct link to NCS, ensuring a smooth and seamless registration process for workers looking for employment.
2. Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) Pension Scheme
The PM-SYM is a pension scheme aimed at unorganised workers aged between 18 and 40 years. This scheme ensures that workers can secure a monthly pension of Rs. 3000 once they reach the age of 60. The best part is that 50% of the contribution is borne by the Government of India, with the worker contributing the remaining amount. Workers can easily enrol in the scheme through eShram by using their UAN, making retirement planning more accessible for millions.
3. Migrant Workers’ Family Details
The eShram portal has introduced a new feature that captures the family details of migrant workers. This enhancement helps ensure that the benefits and schemes available to these workers reach their families, providing a much-needed safety net.
4. Support for Construction Workers
eShram now plays a vital role in helping construction workers by sharing their data with state and union territory authorities. This enables them to register in the respective Building and Other Construction Workers (BoCW) boards, giving them access to various welfare and social security benefits tailored for the construction industry.
5. Opportunities for Skill Development
Skill development is a critical area for empowering unorganised workers, and eShram is addressing this through integration with the Skill India Digital Portal. This integration provides workers with access to skill enhancement and apprenticeship opportunities, helping them acquire new skills and improve their employability.
6. Discovering Government Schemes through myScheme Portal
In addition to connecting workers to skill development opportunities, eShram has also integrated with the myScheme Portal, a national platform that helps citizens discover government schemes based on their eligibility. Workers can now easily find and apply for relevant schemes, making it simpler for them to access the support they need.
7. One-Stop Solution for Social Security Benefits
In line with the government’s vision for a One-Stop-Solution for unorganised workers, eShram now integrates multiple social security and welfare schemes in one place. Launched on 21st October 2024, this initiative allows registered workers to check the benefits they have availed of so far, eliminating the need to navigate through multiple portals. Some of the prominent schemes integrated into eShram include:
- Pradhan Mantri Surakhsa Bima Yojana (PMSBY): A scheme offering accident insurance.
- Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY): Life insurance for workers.
- Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY): Health insurance providing free treatment in empanelled hospitals.
- Prime Minister Street Vendors AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM-SVANidhi): Financial support for street vendors.
- PM Awas Yojana (Urban and Gramin): Housing support for urban and rural citizens.
- Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA): Rural employment for unorganised workers.
These schemes, integrated under the eShram portal, provide unorganised workers with greater access to essential welfare programs, ensuring they benefit from government support in a streamlined and efficient manner.
