The Indian government announced plans to introduce a mandatory unique identifier for all building and construction workers nationwide. This move aims to safeguard the rights of migrant workers. The identifier will be linked to the Aadhaar system and integrated into the e-Shram database, ensuring the portability of benefits for these workers regardless of their location.
The construction sector is one of the largest employers in India, with over 51 million workers, most of whom are unskilled, unorganised, and migrant. These workers face various challenges such as low wages, poor working conditions, lack of social security, and exploitation by contractors and middlemen. To address these issues, the government has proposed to create a unique identity for each construction worker, similar to the Aadhaar card, which will enable them to access various benefits and schemes.
Labour Secretary Arti Ahuja discussed this initiative at “The Migration Conclave”, organized by the All India Organisation of Employers (AIOE) and FICCI, supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in New Delhi. Ahuja highlighted that this system would allow migrant workers and their families to access entitlements anywhere in the country. Satoshi Sasaki, Deputy Director of the ILO, emphasized the importance of labor migration in the current and future labor market. He pointed out the opportunities and challenges faced by migrant workers, particularly in light of the Covid-19 pandemic’s impact on access to decent work.
Furthermore, the ministry is planning to implement measures for better shelter, sanitation, and awareness about entitlements at work locations. Ahuja stressed the importance of a tripartite mechanism, including workers’ organizations, to address the specific needs of migrant workers in various industries.
What is the Unique Identity for Construction Labourers?
The Unique Identity for Construction Labourers (UICL) is a biometric-based identification system that will be issued to all registered construction workers in the country. The UICL will have a 12-digit number, a QR code, and a photograph of the worker. The UICL will be linked to the worker’s bank account, mobile number, and Aadhaar number. The UICL will also store the worker’s personal details, such as name, age, gender, address, educational qualification, skill level, work experience, and family details.
The UICL will serve as a single source of information and verification for the workers, employers, contractors, and government agencies. The UICL will help the workers to avail various benefits and schemes, such as health insurance, pension, maternity benefits, education assistance, housing loans, and skill development. The UICL will also help the employers and contractors to maintain records of the workers, pay wages, and comply with labour laws. The UICL will also help the government to monitor the working conditions, safety standards, and welfare measures of the workers.
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How will the UICL be implemented?
The UICL will be implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, in collaboration with the state governments, the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Boards, and the National Informatics Centre. The UICL will be based on the existing database of the registered construction workers, which will be updated and verified periodically. The UICL will be issued free of cost to the workers, who will have to apply online or offline through the designated centres. The UICL will be valid for five years, after which it will have to be renewed.
The UICL will be integrated with the Shram Suvidha Portal, which is a unified platform for online registration and compliance of labour laws. The UICL will also be linked with the e-Shram portal, which is a national database of unorganised workers, launched by the Prime Minister in August 2021. The UICL will also be compatible with the One Nation One Ration Card scheme, which allows the workers to access subsidised food grains from any fair price shop in the country.
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What are the benefits of the UICL?
The UICL is expected to bring several benefits to the construction workers, such as:
Improved access to social security and welfare schemes, such as the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan, the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, and the Atal Pension Yojana.
Enhanced mobility and portability of benefits, as the workers can use the UICL to access services and entitlements across the country, without any hassle or discrimination.
Increased transparency and accountability, as the workers can track their payments, benefits, and grievances through the UICL, and report any irregularities or violations to the authorities.
Reduced exploitation and corruption, as the workers can avoid intermediaries and middlemen, and directly receive their wages and benefits through the UICL, which will also reduce the scope for fraud and duplication.
Empowered voice and representation, as the workers can use the UICL to form unions, associations, and cooperatives, and participate in collective bargaining and social dialogue.
The UICL is also expected to benefit the employers, contractors, and government, as it will:
Simplify the registration and compliance process, as the UICL will serve as a single document for verification and authentication of the workers, and reduce the paperwork and cost involved.
Improve the productivity and quality of work, as the UICL will help to identify and train the skilled and semi-skilled workers, and match them with the suitable jobs and projects.
Enhance the safety and health of the workers, as the UICL will help to monitor and enforce the occupational safety and health standards, and provide timely medical assistance and compensation in case of accidents and injuries.
Strengthen the data and statistics, as the UICL will provide reliable and updated information on the number, profile, and status of the construction workers, and help in planning and policy making.
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What are the challenges and limitations of the UICL?
The UICL is a commendable initiative, but it also faces some challenges and limitations, such as:
Lack of awareness and participation, as many workers may not be aware of the UICL, or may not be willing to register or share their personal details, due to fear of losing their jobs, identity, or privacy.
Lack of infrastructure and technology, as many workers may not have access to the internet, mobile phones, or bank accounts, or may face difficulties in using the biometric or QR code features of the UICL, due to poor connectivity, literacy, or quality.
Lack of coordination and cooperation, as many stakeholders, such as the state governments, the welfare boards, the employers, and the contractors, may not be on the same page, or may have conflicting interests, or may resist the change or reform.
Lack of enforcement and grievance redressal, as many workers may not get the benefits or services promised by the UICL, or may face harassment or discrimination, or may not have any recourse or remedy in case of any dispute or violation.
The government is expected to release more details on these reforms soon. Ahuja also addressed the growing concern over unregistered outsourced labor and the need for contractors to provide comprehensive benefits under the new labour codes. These benefits include minimum wages, occupational safety, and basic amenities such as toilets and worksite creches.
(Copyright @ India CSR)
Published on November 1, 2023
