SDGs Made SAMVAW with e-SHRAM Cards Prof (Dr) Shalini Verma ‘Lifoholic’

SDGs Made SAMVAW with e-SHRAM Cards

Prof (Dr) Shalini Verma ‘Lifoholic’

Reena Devi who originally hails from the state of Chhattisgarh has been an integral part of the Sharma family for almost five years now. She is the one who makes sure that every member of the Sharma family has healthy hygienic breakfast before going to work or study. She is the one who makes sure that the house of Sharmas is always ready to welcome any invited guest or unexpected visitor anytime of the day.

Reena Devi and the likes are just another name of the millions of migrant workers who have moved in to the big metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai in search of decent livelihood.

Be it pre-COVID19 or post-COVID19 era, migrant workers are the vital segment of India’s unorganised labour sector.

Addressing the often overlooked yet dynamic segment of India’s workforce, the Government of India has launched a ground-breaking initiative – the e-SHRAM (Electronic – Social Harmony and Renewed Access to Minimalistic resources) portal. This innovative scheme marks a significant stride towards integrating the country’s vast unorganised labour sector into the formal social security system.
Designed to create a comprehensive national database of unorganised workers, the e-SHRAM initiative aims to extend the umbrella of social welfare to millions, including migrant workers, street vendors, and domestic helpers, who have long remained on the fringes of social security benefits.

This move, prompted by the urgent need revealed during the COVID-19 pandemic, is not just a step towards reforming labour welfare but also a testament to the government’s commitment to ensuring inclusive growth and equitable access to resources for all strata of society.

Below given is a brief overview of the evolution and implementation of e-SHRAM (Electronic – Social Harmony and Renewed Access to Minimalistic resources):

• Launch Date: The e-SHRAM portal was officially launched on August 26, 2021, by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.
• Background and Need: Prior to the launch of e-SHRAM, there was a lack of a centralized, comprehensive database for unorganised workers in India. The COVID-19 pandemic particularly highlighted the vulnerability of these workers, as many of them faced economic hardships due to lockdowns and movement restrictions. The need for a robust mechanism to identify and assist these workers became evident.
• Benefits Linked: The card links unorganised workers to various social security schemes. It also provides an accident insurance cover under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana.
• Initial Response: The response to the e-SHRAM portal was significant, with millions of workers registering in the first few months following its launch. This highlighted the demand for such an initiative among the unorganised sector workers.

The e-SHRAM card system represents a significant step by the Indian government towards the formalization and social security inclusion of the unorganised workforce. It marks a shift in policy focus, acknowledging and addressing the needs of this substantial yet often overlooked segment of the workforce.

By creating a national database of unorganised workers in India, below given are the key aspects that e-SHRAM cards are aimed to achieve:

The primary goal of the e-SHRAM portal and card is to collect and record comprehensive data on unorganised workers, including migrant workers, street vendors, and domestic workers, among others who are aged between 16 and 59 years.

This database is intended to facilitate the delivery of various social security schemes and welfare programs to these workers including those who are self-employed or wage earners not covered under the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).

Workers can register for the e-SHRAM card online through the official portal or at a Common Service Centre (CSC). The registration requires details like Aadhaar number, bank account details, and a mobile number linked to Aadhaar.
Benefits of e-SHRAM Card

The e-SHRAM initiative not only represents a significant step towards the inclusion of unorganised workers in the formal social security framework, aiming to enhance their livelihood and welfare but is also aligned with and supports several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Among the 17 SDGs, the following are particularly strengthened by the e-SHRAM initiative:

The e-SHRAM cards are a comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges faced by unorganised sector workers in India, and they significantly contribute to the achievement of these Sustainable Development Goals.

The e-SHRAM (Electronic – Social Harmony and Renewed Access to Minimalistic resources) portal and card system is a relatively recent initiative by the Government of India, launched as part of the efforts to provide a comprehensive database and social security for unorganised sector workers.

In conclusion, the e-SHRAM initiative stands as a beacon of hope and progress for India’s unorganised workforce. By bridging the gap between these workers and the realm of social security, the government has not only acknowledged their indispensable contribution to the nation’s economy but also affirmed their rightful place within the fabric of societal welfare.

As millions of workers like Reena Devi step into the fold of formal recognition and support, the e-SHRAM card promises not just their economic stability but a renewed sense of dignity and empowerment.

This pioneering move is a significant leap towards actualizing the vision of an inclusive, resilient, and equitable India, where every worker’s rights and welfare are upheld, irrespective of their sector of employment.

Ise correct kijiye 👇🏻

About the Author: Prof (Dr) Shalini Verma ‘Lifoholic’ is the Founder of SAMVAW Foundation and an Award-winning Author with 75 published books, including several bestsellers, to her credit. She may be reached at: lifoholicshalini@gmail.com ; samvawfoundation@gmail.com

Follow her of LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drshaliniverma/