The Union Labour Ministry has urged technology-based platforms and aggregators to ensure that all gig workers engaged through their services register on the e-Shram portal, a centralised database that will make these workers eligible for social security benefits.
“The Ministry of Labour & Employment has taken another major step in extending social security benefits to gig and platform workers by inviting platform aggregators to register their workers on the e-Shram portal,” the ministry said in a PIB release.
Reason for Registration
This registration is crucial to ensuring workers’ access to social welfare schemes, while aggregators will help develop an accurate registry of beneficiaries.
The ministry has issued an advisory with a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlining aggregator responsibilities, including registering workers and updating their data.
UAN
Upon registration, platform workers will receive a Universal Account Number (UAN), which will allow them access to key social security benefits.
Central government after working with a few aggregators has completed testing for API integration and is advancing the registration process. This joint effort aims to ensure full coverage of gig workers, with ongoing collaboration between the ministry and platform aggregators.
Through the guidelines, the aggregators have also been requested to regularly update workers’ details, including work engagement and payments. Any workers exit must be reported promptly to maintain accurate records, the ministry said.
To assist with the onboarding of workers and aggregators, a toll-free helpline (14434) has been set up to provide information, guide registration, and resolve any technical issues encountered during the process.
Meeting with Aggregators
The ministry has also scheduled a meeting with the aggregators on September 18, 2024, which will be chaired by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Labour and Employment to sensitise and encourage them in this important initiative.
