Fate of 23 lakh Telangana workers in limbo as e-Shram updation put on hold

HYDERABAD: Telangana is estimated to have 1.10 crore unorganised workers, but fate of 23 lakh workers is hanging in the balance as the Centre is yet to update their bulk data and details on its e-Shram portal.
So far, data of 40 lakh of the state's 1.10 crore unorganised workers has been uploaded. Officials say though the state provided the details, delay in uploading the data was due to Centre's inability to upload the data in bulk. Of the 23 lakh workers, 12 lakh are street vendors and 11 lakh construction workers.

The Centre unveiled the e-Shram portal in 2019 to provide accident insurance coverage to unorganised workers who are not covered by PF and ESI benefits. In the event of an accidental death, eligible workers' families will receive a compensation of 2 lakh.
"There has to be a correction in the number of unorganised workers sent to us by the Centre. As 36 lakh workers are covered under PF and ESI, their details cannot be uploaded. Our bulk data on unorganised workers is pending with the Centre," E Gangadhar, additional commissioner of labour, said.
Another issue bothering the workers is the mechanism for receiving the insurance amount in the event of a worker's death, which lacks clarity. "There are 40 pending death claims. If the insurance amount is not released immediately, workers' enthusiasm to register will fade," an official said.