India proposes launch of portal to collect gig worker data

India is proposing to launch a portal to collect information on gig, building and construction workers to formulate welfare schemes for migrant workers.

“To further extend our efforts towards the unorganised labour force migrant workers particularly, I propose to launch a portal that will collect relevant information on gig, building, and construction workers among others,” said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday as part of her Budget 2021-2022 speech, according to The Hindu. 

“This will help formulate health, housing, skill, insurance, credit and food schemes for migrant workers,” she said.

Touching on the country’s One Nation One Ration Card scheme, which allows beneficiaries to claim their rations in any designated shop of their own choice, the minister said that “migrant workers in particular benefit from this scheme — those staying away from their families can partially claim their ration where they are stationed, while their family, in their native places, can claim the rest”.

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So far, the scheme is implemented by 32 states and union territories, which covers 86% of the beneficiaries. In the next few months, it will be rolled out in the remaining four states and union territories, said the minister. 

The One Nation One Ration Card scheme was first launched on a pilot basis in four states in 2019.