Ministry of Labour and Employment has released its Year End Review for 2024, highlighting significant achievements and initiatives aimed at advancing social security, employment, and worker welfare.
The review showcases the ministry’s commitment to supporting unorganized workers and improving the overall labor sector in India.
Ministry of Labour: e-Shram Portal & Social Security Schemes
One of the standout achievements of the year is the rapid adoption of the e-Shram portal, which crossed 30 crore registrations.
Launched as a “One-Stop Solution” for unorganized labor, the portal integrates 12 Social Security/Welfare Schemes, including the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC), Indira Gandhi National Pension Schemes, MGNREGA, PMAY-G, and PM-SVANidhi.
This platform has significantly enhanced access to social security benefits for millions of workers.
The National Career Service (NCS) portal continued to play a crucial role in mobilizing job opportunities.
From January to December 2024, the portal mobilized 1,89,33,219 vacancies, bringing the total to 3.89 crore vacancies since its inception.
The portal also integrated with 30 states/union territories and several private job portals, ensuring a wider reach for job seekers.
The Building and Construction Workers MIS Portal, launched in August 2024, serves as a centralized data management system.
It integrates data from state Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Boards with e-Shram, facilitating better management and delivery of welfare schemes.
Ten states, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu, have completed the integration process.
Labour Code Implementation and EPF Initiatives
The ministry held six regional meetings from August to October 2024 to assist states/union territories in framing rules under the Labour Codes.
States like Nagaland and Sikkim have pre-published draft rules under relevant codes, with all 36 states/union territories expected to complete harmonization by March 31, 2025.
This effort aims to ensure a smooth rollout of the Labour Codes, which have been pending since 2020.
India’s success in doubling its social protection coverage was highlighted in the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) World Social Protection Report (2024-26).
The Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) was recognized as one of the world’s largest food security initiatives, benefiting 800 million people.
Additionally, India signed a Joint Declaration of Intent with Germany to enhance cooperation in employment and labor.
EPFO rolled out several major changes to ease the withdrawal process, including the Centralized Pension Payment System (CPPS), which enables 77 lakh pensioners to access their pensions from any bank branch starting January 2025.
EPFO also credited 8.25% interest for FY 2023-24 to subscriber accounts.
ESIC Projects, Medical Colleges and ELI Scheme
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and dedicated 28 key projects worth Rs 3,921 crore under the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) in 2024.
ESIC also gave in-principal approval for the establishment of 10 new ESIC medical colleges across the country.
These initiatives aim to provide quality medical care to ESIC beneficiaries and enhance healthcare infrastructure.
ELI Scheme, announced in the Union Budget 2024-25, incentivizes formal job creation by offering wage reimbursements and EPFO contribution support for first-time employees and their employers.
This scheme targets employees earning up to Rs 1 lakh per month and employers hiring above a certain threshold.
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