The Labor and Employment ministry has launched a portal for laborers in the unorganized sector, which will be the first of its kind attempt to have scientific data to formulate the policies and implementation of various schemes.

Launched on August 26 this year, more than 1.66 crore laborers from unorganized sector have registered their names while the government estimates their number at 38 crore across the country. The ministry also plans to conduct a survey to collect systematic and scientific data of the unorganized labors.

The decision assumes significance as the Social Studies Foundation (SSF) made the demand in November 2020 when the country witnessed large scale migration of the labor force in the aftermath of COVID pandemic. In absence of any data, union and state governments were handicapped while extending assistance to them and also their relocation. Launched on August 26 this year, more than 1.66 crore laborers from unorganized sector have registered their names while the government estimates their number at 38 crore across the country. The ministry also plans to conduct a survey to collect systematic and scientific data of the unorganized labors. The decision assumes significance as the Social Studies Foundation (SSF) made the demand in November 2020 when the country witnessed large scale migration of the labor force in the aftermath SSF had published a study on migration of laborers, covering various states in the country. A delegation of SSF had met the then minister for labor and employment Santosh Gangwar and made some recommendations. Many of them are being implemented with the launching of a portal. Speaking at a function recently in Mumbai, Labor Minister Mr. Bhupendra Yadav said that they had identified as many as 400 trades and portal will provide government information on each trade. Mr. Yadav said that the government wants every worker can avail benefits of various government schemes. Mr. Yadav also said that the workers, who have registered their names, are covered with insurance of Rs. two lakhs. Mr. Yadav said that the government is trying to collect data even of the last man on the street. The government will soon undertake a survey of domestic and migrant workers, which is expected to give precise information about the labour force in the country. “It will also help government in formulating the policies on labor”, he said. The portal is expected to give each and every labor a distinct identity and recognition. E-Shram card will be considered as a single card to avail all the government schemes including one nation one ration card. The government also expects local self governments, PSUs and app based services to play a big role in enrolling the names of laborers. SSF delegation, which met the then labor and employment minister Santosh Gangwar has said that the Central government can play a meaningful role by integrating efforts of concerned state governments along with NGOs, associations and other stakeholders, who are working for the migrant labour. Few recommendations made by SSF includes:

* The Ministry of Labour should have a separate cell for migrant labour issues.

* To begin with, this cell should start collecting the data on the well-being, status of migrant laborers in different destination states and Union Territories.

* The government should open center namely Migrant Labourers Information Centre at Block level to facilitate their well-being in source states.

* A structured questionnaire may be included in census 2021 for aforesaid purposes.

* The central labor ministry should collect gram panchayat level data from source state about current skill levels of the migrant laborers for appropriate upskilling.

* Registration of migrant workers covering their Socio-economic-educational-skill background using the latest digital technologies.

* Unique ID numbers should be given by issuing cards (like Aadhar card) which will be useful throughout the country wherever workers migrate.

* To tackle migrant labour issues effectively in future, regular orientation programs should be organized for bureaucrats, politicians and other stakeholders for their sensitization.

* The sociological, cultural and psychological issues such as gender equality, education to children of the migrant workers, the language barriers, the domestic violence, dignity of women, the old age problems of the migrant workers after retirement etc. needs to be addressed by the government in a planned phased manner in proposed changes in the existing migrant labour act.

* The government can entrust such issues to the NGOs, or semi-government bodies to resolve.

* The central and state governments should promote Small Scale Industries on a priority basis in those source districts from where the migration is rampant.