How to register for e-Shram and access benefits for informal workers

Your smartphone is a social security tool

You are 19, and the person who delivers your groceries or cleans your society’s park has been working 12-hour shifts for years. One day they get injured or lose their job, and there is no safety net—no Provident Fund (PF), no ESI insurance, nothing. This is the reality for over 38 crore informal workers in India. They are the backbone of our economy, yet they often remain invisible to the state.

When a crisis hits, like a pandemic or a local lockdown, the government needs a way to send help directly to them. That is where the e-Shram portal comes in. By helping your house help, a construction worker neighbor, or a gig worker register, you are not just 'doing a favour'; you are helping them claim a legal right to social security. You have the tech access they might lack. Here is how you can bridge that gap and get them a Universal Account Number (UAN) card.

What the law actually says

The e-Shram portal is not just a website; it is a statutory requirement under the Code on Social Security, 2020. Specifically, Section 113 of the Code mandates the registration of unorganised workers, gig workers, and platform workers to provide them with social security benefits.

Before the 2020 Code, the Unorganised Workers' Social Security Act, 2008 governed this space. Under Section 10 of the 2008 Act, every unorganised worker was entitled to register. The Supreme Court of India, in the landmark case In Re: Problems and Miseries of Migrant Labourers (2021), fast-tracked this process. The Court directed the Ministry of Labour and Employment to ensure that the National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW) was completed so that no migrant worker would be left out of welfare schemes, especially during national emergencies.

Who is an 'Unorganised Worker'? According to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, this includes anyone who is:

1. A home-based worker, self-employed worker, or a wage worker in the unorganised sector.
2. Not a member of ESIC (Employees' State Insurance Corporation) or EPFO (Employees' Provident Fund Organisation).
3. Not an income tax payer.

This covers a massive range of occupations: agricultural labourers, street vendors, domestic workers, ASHAs, Anganwadi workers, rickshaw pullers, and even 'gig' workers like those on Swiggy or Zomato.

By registering, the worker gets a Universal Account Number (UAN) card. This card is valid across India. It links their profile to various social security schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) for pensions or the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY). If there is a dispute regarding their registration or if an official demands a bribe, you can File an RTI online to check the status of their application or the benefits disbursed in their district.

Step-by-step playbook to enrol a worker

You can do this on your laptop or phone. It is free. Do not let anyone charge the worker for this registration, though a Common Service Centre (CSC) may charge a nominal fee of ₹20 for updates or printouts.

1. The Eligibility Pre-Check

Before you start, ask the worker these three questions:

• Age: Are you between 16 and 59 years old? (As of the date of registration).
• Tax: Do you pay income tax? (If yes, they are ineligible).
• Formal Employment: Are you a member of EPFO or ESIC? (If they have a PF deduction from a formal company, they cannot register here).

2. Gather the 'Enrolment Kit'

You need the following details ready. Do not start the digital process without these, as the session will time out:

• Aadhaar Number: This is mandatory.
• Aadhaar-linked Mobile Number: This is the easiest way. If their mobile isn't linked, you will have to take them to a CSC for biometric (fingerprint) authentication.
• Bank Account Details: You need the Account Number and the IFSC code. The government sends benefits via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), so this must be accurate.
• Occupation Details: What exactly do they do? (e.g., 'Carpenter', 'Domestic worker').

3. The Digital Process (Self-Registration)

1. Go to the official portal: eshram.gov.in.
2. Click on 'Register on e-Shram'.
3. Self-Registration Page: Enter the Aadhaar-linked mobile number and the captcha. Click 'Send OTP'.
4. Aadhaar Authentication: Enter the worker's Aadhaar number. Select 'OTP' as the capture type (if their phone is linked) and click submit. Enter the OTP received on their phone.
5. Personal Information: The portal will pull their photo and basic details from the Aadhaar database. You will need to manually fill in their email (optional), marital status, father's name, and social category (SC/ST/OBC/General).
6. Address: Enter their current address and permanent address. For migrant workers, this is crucial—ensure the 'current address' is where they are staying now so they can access local state benefits.
7. Education and Income: Select their education level (e.g., 'Primary' or 'Literate') and their monthly income slab (usually '₹10,000 and below' for most informal workers).
8. Occupation: This is the most important part. Search for their primary occupation. The portal uses NCO (National Classification of Occupations) codes. Start typing 'Construction' or 'Driver' and select the best fit. Ask them how many years of experience they have.
9. Bank Details: Enter the Bank Account number and IFSC. The portal will often auto-populate the bank name and branch once the IFSC is entered. Double-check this with their passbook.

4. Review and Submit

A preview of the entire form will appear. Read it out to the worker in their preferred language (Hindi/Regional). Once they confirm it is correct, click the 'Submit' button.

5. Download the UAN Card

A 12-digit UAN card will be generated instantly on the screen.

• Download the PDF: Save it on your phone.
• WhatsApp it: Send it to the worker or their family member.
• Print it: If possible, give them a physical printout. This card is their proof of being a 'recognised' worker in India.

6. What to do if the mobile is NOT linked to Aadhaar

If the worker’s phone is not linked to their Aadhaar, you cannot do this at home. You must take them to a nearby Common Service Centre (CSC).

• Find the nearest one using the 'Locate CSC' link on the e-Shram portal.
• The operator there will use a biometric scanner for their fingerprint.
• The registration is still free for the worker; the government pays the CSC operator directly for every new registration.

If the worker is also a construction labourer, they might be eligible for additional state-level benefits. You can check their status or report issues with local labour contractors by learning How to file an FIR if they are being denied wages or safety equipment. For those working in rural areas, ensure they are also registered for work under MGNREGA using our MGNREGA vigilance toolkit.

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