Many people do not have a secure job. The workers can be terminated at any time and sometimes are not paid for their work. Terminations during COVID-19 were the new norm, but these people suffered the pandemic with no savings. It’s good as long as they work. What happens when they reach old age? The Ministry of Labour and Employment of the Government of India introduced the labor card to address all these discrepancies.

In India, many statutes go by the name of labor laws. However, the daily wages of millions of unorganized workers in India were not covered by any of these laws. Unorganized workers were largely ignored until the creation of a database by the central government through the labor card/e-ashram cards. It is hoped that they will be listed in the government’s records, just as a worker is on the payroll of an industry. So, if a government scheme for unorganized workers is launched, they can benefit directly from it without having to go through separate registration campaigns where intermediaries take advantage.

What is a labor card?

The central and state governments introduced the labor card/e-shram/shramik card for those who work in the unorganized sectors as domestic workers or construction laborers. The listed professions must register to receive a Universal Account Number. What is the Shramik card’s benefit? Labor card benefits enable the government to reach the unorganized sectors through various employment and welfare schemes. The benefits of labor cards are many, depending on which industry/category of project you fall under.

Who can apply for a Labour Card in India?

Below, the authorities have listed the categories of citizens who are eligible to receive benefits from a labor card.

Aged 16-59 Years.

You should not pay income tax.

It would be best if you were not a recipient of EPFO or ESIC.

The Labour Card List of Eligible Jobs

Construction workers

Domestic workers

Watchman

Beedi workers

Carpenter

Welder

The Plumber

Painter

Electrician

Other skilled workers

According to the government’s notice, there is a list of occupations that are eligible for the e-shram/labor card benefits.

What are the benefits of a Labour Card?

It is important to understand the purpose of administrative tasks before rushing into the benefits of the labor card. The following are the reasons for the introduction of the shramik/labor card in India.

Create a database for the unorganized sector to collect information on labor schemes.

Unorganised workers: Employment Opportunities

Enrollment is free for the first year of the PMSBY (Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yajna).

Direct benefits via UAN during unprecedented contingencies such as pandemics (labor card benefits locked down), etc.

E-Labour Card Benefits: Employment Schemes

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which was passed in 2005, provides rural employment for up to 100 days per household.

Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gramin Kaushalya Yojana for providing relevant skills and jobs to younger generations in rural areas.

The Garib Kalyan Rozgar Yojana offers 125 days per year of employment in Kusum Works, livestock sheds, and poultry sheds. Garib Kalyan Yojana.

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Antyodaya Yojana (Day) is a day to promote skills and self-employment by financing and supporting poor citizens.

PM SVANidhi, i.e., AtmaNirbhar Nidhi, a scheme of the Prime Minister Street Vendors, aims to facilitate working capital loans up to Rs 10,000 and incentivize regular payments.

PMKVY is a scheme that promotes skills and provides training.

The Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme provides easy financial support for new businesses.

Social Security Welfare Schemes: Benefits of the Labour Card

Scholarships for the children of workers in beedi mines and cinemas.

PMJJBY (Pradhan Mantri Jyoti Yojna) is a life insurance scheme with annual coverage.

PMSBY (Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bhima Yojna) provides disability and health insurance coverage up to Rs 2 lakh.

PMABY (Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Yojna), a health insurance scheme, offers benefits of up to Rs 5 lakh.

Pension schemes such as PMSYM (Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan Dhan Yojna) can protect old age.

The National Pension Scheme (NPS) is a pension scheme designed specifically for traders and self-employed individuals.

Atal Pension Yojana is a pension scheme whereby beneficiaries receive monthly pensions after a specified age or an accumulated amount after the beneficiary dies.

Public Distribution System (PDS) for food distribution and security at affordable prices.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awaas (PMAY-G), financial assistance is available to beneficiaries up to Rs 1.2 lakh for plain areas and Rs 1.3 million in hilly regions.

National Social Assistance Programme – Combined Pension Scheme by Centre and State Contribution for People with Little or No Source of Income.

Health Insurance Scheme for Weavers is a special scheme for weaving workers.

The scheme of pensions for small and marginal farmers as per the PradhanMantri Kisan Yojana

Under NSKFDC (National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation), financial assistance is provided for sanitation activities and educational programs to Safai Karamcharis and manual scavengers and those who are dependent on them.

Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation Manual Scavengers. This scheme provides manual scavengers with skill training and monthly allowances.

How can I get a Labour Card?

Apply online for a labor card by following these steps:

Click here to visit the official ashram website.

The following are the prerequisites to online registration for a labor card:

Aadhaar card

Aadhaar-linked mobile number should be active

Aadhaar and bank account numbers linked

Other personal or occupational details

Enter your basic information, and you will receive a password that is unique to the mobile number of the applicant (unorganized worker).

Enter all relevant information as instructed.

Verify and submit the information after providing all necessary details.

Click on the link to download your labor card.

Please print it out and give it to the workers in unorganized sectors.

Click Here to view the video of how to apply for an e-shram/labor card online.

If none of the above methods are working due to the lack of appropriate devices, you can visit one of the CSC centers that the government has set up to register workers in the unorganized sectors. If you know someone who falls into a specific category but is unable to get a labor card for whatever reason, then contact labor attorneys. They can assist with the legal battle.