The "Eshram" card, also known as the "e-Shram" card, is a digital identification card introduced by the Government of India. It is designed to provide unorganized sector workers with a formal and recognized identity. The term "eshram" is derived from the Hindi words "e" (electronic) and "shram" (meaning labor or work), highlighting its purpose to digitally document and acknowledge the contributions of workers in the informal sector.
For workers in the unorganized sector – which includes daily wage laborers, construction workers, domestic help, street vendors, and more – the Eshram card serves as a means of social security and welfare. It aims to bring them under the fold of organized and regulated labor practices.
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Benefits of the Eshram card include
Formal Identification
The card provides workers with a formal identification, which can be crucial for accessing various government schemes and benefits.
Eshram cardholders can potentially access social security measures like healthcare, insurance, and pension schemes.
Financial Inclusion
It can enable workers to open bank accounts and access financial services, promoting financial inclusion and savings.
Access to Government Schemes
The card makes workers eligible for government welfare programs tailored for the unorganized sector.
Skill Development
It can serve as a basis for identifying skill gaps and providing relevant training to enhance employability.
Labor Rights
The card can help enforce labor rights, ensuring fair wages, better working conditions, and protection from exploitation.
Improved Working Conditions
By formalizing the sector, the card may encourage employers to provide safer working environments and adhere to labor regulations.
Record of Employment
The card can digitally record a worker's employment history, making it easier to verify work experience.
Ease of Access
Being a digital card, it's easy to access and carry, reducing the risk of loss compared to physical documents.
Transparent System
The Eshram card system promotes transparency by digitally recording worker data and transactions.
The Eshram card strives to uplift the lives of unorganized sector workers by integrating them into the formal economy, facilitating access to social welfare, and enhancing their overall well-being. It's like providing a gateway for workers to access the benefits and rights they deserve, improving their quality of life and contributing to a more equitable society.
