Government of India Invites Platform Aggregators to Register Workers on e-Shram Portal: Extending Social Security to Gig and Platform Workers

In a landmark move towards securing the social welfare of gig and platform workers, the Ministry of Labour & Employment has invited platform aggregators to register themselves and their workers on the e-Shram Portal. This initiative, aimed at ensuring workers’ access to social security benefits, is a vital step in creating a comprehensive registry of gig workers across the nation.

Empowering Gig Workers through e-Shram Portal

The growing gig economy, consisting of millions of workers engaged in flexible, short-term jobs across various industries, has brought immense economic opportunities. However, the absence of a formal social security framework for these workers has posed significant challenges. Recognizing this, the Government of India has launched an initiative to register platform workers, ensuring they receive essential benefits such as health coverage, pensions, and insurance.

Upon registration on the e-Shram Portal, workers will be issued a Universal Account Number (UAN), which will provide them with access to crucial social welfare schemes. This move is aimed at formalizing the employment of gig workers and enabling them to avail of a range of government benefits, including financial aid, health insurance, and skill development programs.

Platform Aggregators’ Role in the Registration Process

Platform aggregators, including companies providing services through digital platforms (e.g., food delivery, ride-hailing, e-commerce, and freelance services), have been asked to actively participate in this initiative by registering their workers on the e-Shram Portal.

To facilitate the registration process, the Ministry of Labour & Employment has issued an advisory, accompanied by a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), outlining the responsibilities of platform aggregators. These responsibilities include:

• Registration of workers: Aggregators are responsible for registering their platform workers on the portal, ensuring that workers receive a UAN.
• Data updates: Aggregators are required to regularly update workers’ data, including employment status, work engagement, and payment details.
• Reporting exits: If a worker exits the platform, it is mandatory for the aggregator to report this information to keep the database accurate and up to date.

This approach is designed to create a seamless and accurate registry of beneficiaries, helping the government to monitor and deliver social security benefits more effectively.

API Integration and Helpline for Support

The government has already made significant progress by collaborating with a few platform aggregators to complete API integration testing. This technical integration is crucial for the smooth transfer of data between the aggregators’ systems and the e-Shram Portal. By streamlining the registration process, the government aims to ensure that all gig workers are covered under the social security framework.

To further assist platform aggregators and workers, a toll-free helpline (14434) has been established. This helpline provides valuable information, guides the registration process, and helps resolve any technical difficulties that may arise. It ensures that both aggregators and workers can easily navigate the process of registering on the e-Shram Portal.

Meeting with Platform Aggregators

In a bid to further encourage platform aggregators and sensitize them about this initiative, Union Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, is scheduled to meet with aggregators on 18th September 2024. This meeting will focus on ensuring that platform aggregators understand the importance of their participation in registering workers and updating their details regularly. The Ministry’s proactive approach demonstrates the government’s commitment to the welfare of gig workers and its determination to ensure that no worker is left behind.

In Conclusion, The initiative to register gig and platform workers on the e-Shram Portal is a major step toward ensuring social security coverage for this vital workforce. By actively involving platform aggregators in this process, the government is laying the foundation for a more inclusive and formalized economy. Through collaborations between the government, aggregators, and workers, India is on the path to creating a robust social security framework that will benefit millions of gig workers and contribute to their economic well-being.

For further information or assistance, platform aggregators and workers can reach out to the toll-free helpline at 14434.