Jammu Kashmir Reports Among Lowest Registrations of Gig Workers on e-Shram Portal | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has one of the lowest numbers of registered gig and platform workers in the country, with 3,328 workers enrolled on the e-Shram portal, the Union government informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. The figure places Jammu and Kashmir near the bottom among States and Union Territories in terms of formal registration of gig and platform workers.

The data was shared by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in a written reply to an unstarred question on social security coverage for gig and platform workers. According to the ministry, the e-Shram portal, which serves as a national database for unorganised, gig and platform workers, recorded significantly higher registrations in several other States.

Maharashtra topped the list with 1,34,705 registered gig and platform workers, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 1,30,505, Bihar with 1,09,207, and West Bengal with 54,734. Neighbouring Himachal Pradesh reported 1,838 registrations, while Ladakh recorded 48, and Lakshadweep 4, the lowest in the country.

The government told Parliament that the Code on Social Security, 2020, which came into force on November 21, 2025, for the first time provides statutory definitions for gig workers and platform workers and introduces provisions related to their welfare. The Code also provides for the constitution of a National Social Security Board to recommend and monitor welfare schemes for unorganised, gig and platform workers.

In addition, the Code allows for the creation of a Social Security Fund to finance welfare measures for gig and platform workers. The ministry said the fund would be supported through multiple sources as provided under the legislation.

To increase registration on the e-Shram portal, the government conducted three nationwide special registration drives in April, May, and August–September 2025, in coordination with States and Union Territories. The ministry also held multiple rounds of consultations with aggregator companies, platform worker unions and associations, knowledge partners and State governments to develop a social security framework for gig and platform workers.

The government said steps are being taken to encourage and ensure onboarding of gig and platform workers by aggregator companies on the e-Shram portal to improve coverage under social security schemes.