The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment has directed digital platforms to onboard gig and platform workers on the e-Shram portal by June 21. Already, 15 major aggregators including Zomato, Swiggy, Uber, and Ola have integrated. Registration ensures workers get a unique ID and can access government welfare schemes under the Code on Social Security, 2020.

The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment has directed digital aggregators to onboard gig and platform workers on the e-Shram portal by June 21. Major platforms including Zomato, Blinkit, Swiggy, Uber, Ola, Rapido, Amazon, Zepto, Urban Company, and Porter have already integrated with the system. Remaining aggregators have been given a deadline to comply.

What is the new e-Shram portal?

e-Shram is a national digital registry created by the government for workers in the unorganised sector. It maintains records of delivery partners, drivers, freelancers and other platform-based workers, and assigns each registered worker a unique identification number. The database is designed to help authorities design and deliver welfare schemes more effectively to a workforce that has historically lacked formal social security coverage.

Why are gig platforms being asked to register?