The Ministry of Labour and Employment has issued a call to action for platform workers across India, urging them to register on the e-Shram portal.
This initiative aims to provide formal recognition to gig and platform workers while granting them access to healthcare benefits under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
Growing Gig Economy in India: Objectives of e-Shram Portal
India’s gig economy has witnessed exponential growth in recent years, with sectors like ridesharing, food delivery, logistics, and professional services employing millions of workers.
According to NITI Aayog, the gig economy will employ over 1 crore workers in 2024-25. This number is projected to rise to 2.35 crore by 2029-30.
Despite their significant contributions to the economy, gig and platform workers often lack formal recognition and access to social security benefits.
The e-Shram portal, launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, serves as a centralized database for unorganized workers.
It aims to provide them with a Universal Account Number (UAN) and facilitate access to various government welfare schemes.
By registering on the portal, platform workers can gain formal recognition and become eligible for benefits such as healthcare coverage under AB-PMJAY.
AB-PMJAY: A Lifeline for Platform Workers
The AB-PMJAY is a flagship healthcare scheme that provides financial protection for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
The scheme provides beneficiaries with a cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year. This benefit can be availed at over 31,000 public and private empanelled hospitals across India.
The scheme also includes cashless benefits and covers pre-existing conditions from day one.
By registering on the e-Shram portal, platform workers can gain access to these healthcare benefits. This ensures financial security during medical emergencies.
This initiative marks a significant step toward integrating gig workers into the social security net.
e-Shram Portal: Government’s Call to Action
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has emphasized the importance of self-registration on the e-Shram portal.
Platform aggregators have been requested to disseminate information about the portal among their workers and facilitate the registration process.
The ministry has also highlighted the need for early registration to ensure timely access to AB-PMJAY benefits.
As of now, over 30.58 crore unorganized workers have registered on the e-Shram portal. In 2024, the portal recorded an average of 33,700 enrollments per day.
The government aims to extend this outreach to platform workers, recognizing their pivotal role in the economy.
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