6 January 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis
1. A Journey to visibility
(Source – Indian Express, Section – The Editorial Page – Page No. – 10)
| Topic: GS2 – Governance |
| Context |
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Analysis of the news:
A Database for Unorganised Workers
- The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E) announced that the e-Shram portal, with over 300 million registered workers, is the largest database of unorganised workers globally.
- This initiative emerged from the Supreme Court of India’s directive during the COVID-19 pandemic, urging the creation of a national database to address the precarious condition of migrant workers.
- Launched in May 2021, the portal aims to register and centralise data on unorganised workers to enable targeted interventions.
What is eShram Portal?
- It was launched by the Ministry of Labourand Employment in 2021 for registration and creation of a comprehensive National Database of Unorganized Workers.
- The registration in the portal is fully Aadhaar verified and Aadhaar seeded. Any unorganised worker can register himself or herself on the portal on a self-declaration basis.
- It allows an unorganised worker to register himself or herself on the portal on self-declaration basis, under 400 occupations in 30 broad occupation sectors.
Historical Context: A Longstanding Need
- The necessity for a database on migrant and unorganised workers has been recognised for decades.
- The Interstate Migrant Workmen Act (1979) required labour contractors to report on interstate workers.
- Similarly, the National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector (2007) and the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act (2008) proposed universal registration systems and identity cards.
- Unfortunately, these recommendations were never implemented effectively, leaving unorganised workers invisible and excluded from institutional support.
Challenges Faced by Migrant Workers
- Migrant workers, especially those involved in seasonal and circular migration, face distinct challenges, including disenfranchisement, stigma, lack of access to public services, and vulnerability to exploitation.
- Despite the potential of the e-Shram portal, its focus has been limited to registration rather than extending tangible social security benefits.
- For instance, millions of registered workers remain excluded from critical schemes like ration cards and food security.
The One-Stop Solution (OSS): Bridging the Gap
- To address these gaps, the MoL&E launched the One-Stop Solution (OSS) platform in October.
- OSS aims to integrate social security schemes with the e-Shram portal, providing seamless access to welfare initiatives.
- Schemes like One Nation One Ration Card, MGNREGA, and PM Shram Yogi Maandhan are already linked, with plans to incorporate additional programmes.
- This integrated approach marks a significant step toward safeguarding the rights of unorganised workers and migrants.
Key Barriers to Universal Access
- Despite its potential, the e-Shram portal faces significant challenges in achieving universal access.
- Many migrant workers lack essential documentation, such as Aadhaar cards, ration cards, or permanent mobile numbers.
- This documentation gap excludes them from registration and subsequent benefits.
- Addressing these barriers is crucial for the inclusion of all unorganised workers.
Gender Dimensions and Portability Concerns
- Women constitute 53.59% of all registered workers on the e-Shram portal, a promising trend given the gendered inequalities in the labour market.
- However, gender-sensitive approaches in social security programmes remain lacking.
- Additionally, the portability of entitlements across states is vital for inter-state migrants, who form a significant proportion of the unorganised workforce.
- The MoL&E must prioritise ensuring the transferability of benefits through OSS.
Disaggregating Data for Comprehensive Policies
- Unorganised workers and migrants are a diverse group with varying socio-cultural, regional, and economic profiles.
- To design effective policies, it is essential to disaggregate data and map worker profiles.
- Policymakers and non-profits have recommended this repeatedly, but the MoL&E has yet to act.
- Without detailed data, equitable and inclusive policy interventions remain challenging.
Migrants as Assets: A Developmental Perspective
- The perception of migrants and unorganised workers needs a shift. Rather than treating them as beneficiaries of subsidies, they should be viewed as assets driving the economy.
- The focus should move toward enhancing human development outcomes, aligning with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
- Well-designed social protection systems are essential for achieving the vision of a developed India (Viksit Bharat).
Conclusion: The Road Ahead
- The e-Shram portal and OSS represent significant progress in addressing the needs of unorganised and migrant workers.
- However, gaps in implementation, documentation barriers, and the lack of comprehensive data mapping highlight the work still required.
- By addressing these issues and adopting a holistic approach, India can ensure the meaningful inclusion of this critical workforce, aligning with its developmental goals and the vision of inclusive growth.
| Welfare Schemes for eShram registered workers: |
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| Practice Question:Â Critically evaluate the role of the e-Shram portal and the One-Stop Solution (OSS) platform in addressing the social security challenges faced by unorganised and migrant workers in India. Highlight the key barriers and suggest measures to enhance their effectiveness. (250 Words /15 marks) |
For more such UPSC related Current Affairs, Check Out: 4 January 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis
