India is taking a giant leap toward worker welfare with its ambitious One Nation One Workforce initiative. The government plans to create a universal social security account for every worker by integrating major platforms like EPFO, ESIC, PM-JAY, e-Shram, and State welfare boards. This transformative policy could finally bring millions of gig, migrant, and informal workers under a comprehensive safety net.
Table of Contents
What is One Nation One Workforce?
The draft National Labour and Employment Policy – Shram Shakti Niti 2025 proposes creating a unified Labour & Employment Stack integrating worker identities and enterprise databases. Think of it as a single digital identity for every worker in India, making social security truly portable across states and jobs.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch Timeline | Draft released October 2024 |
| Target Coverage | All workers including gig, migrant & informal sectors |
| Key Platforms | EPFO, ESIC, PM-JAY, e-Shram, State welfare boards |
| Women Workforce Target | 35% participation by 2030 |
| Implementation Phases | 3 phases (2025-2030) |
Why This Matters for Indian Workers
For decades, India’s social security architecture has been fragmented, leaving millions of gig, migrant, and informal workers outside the safety net. Currently, only 12% of India’s workforce has formal pension coverage, while over 90% work in the unorganized sector with limited benefits.
The new system promises:
✓ Universal Coverage: Every worker gets a social security account, regardless of employment type
✓ True Portability: Benefits follow you across states, jobs, and sectors
✓ Digital Integration: AI-driven job matching through the National Career Service (NCS) platform
✓ Women Empowerment: Targeting 35% women workforce participation by 2030
The Three-Phase Rollout
Phase I (2025-27) focuses on institutional setup, social security integration, and NCS-DPI pilots for AI-based job matching. Phase II (2027-30) will see nationwide rollout of universal social security accounts and skill-credit systems. Phase III extends the ecosystem nationwide.
Building on Existing Success
India already demonstrated portability success with the One Nation One Ration Card scheme. The ONORC initiative has been successfully rolled out in all 36 States and Union Territories as of June 2022, making food security truly portable nationwide. The same principle now extends to employment benefits.
Real Impact for Real People
Consider a construction worker from Bihar working in Mumbai. Previously, switching jobs meant losing benefits. Now, their social security travels with them. Or a delivery driver moving between platforms—their contributions accumulate in one account.
The e-Shram Portal for registration of all informal workers in India was initiated in 2021 with a stated purpose for disaster-preparedness and providing portable social security and relief measures for migrant workers.
Challenges Ahead
While promising, questions remain. The eligibility criteria and scope of inclusion remain unclear—will the universal social security account cover every worker, including all gig and platform workers, migrant workers, and those in non-formal jobs?
Data privacy is another concern. The draft policy lacks guardrails to protect worker information from digital identity theft and misuse.
What This Means for You
Whether you’re a gig worker, migrant laborer, or traditional employee, this initiative could revolutionize your work life. No more losing benefits when changing jobs. No more state-specific restrictions. Your social security becomes truly yours—portable, universal, and secure.
The government has sought public feedback on the draft policy, signaling genuine consultation before implementation. For India’s workforce of over 500 million, this isn’t just policy—it’s a lifeline.
Stay Updated
Want more insights on India’s evolving job market and tech policies? Check out our coverage on technology trends and policy updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: When will the One Nation One Workforce system be fully operational?
The implementation follows a phased approach starting 2025. Phase I (2025-27) covers institutional setup and pilot programs. Phase II (2027-30) will see nationwide rollout of universal social security accounts. Full implementation across all sectors is expected by 2030.
Q2: Will this system cover gig workers from platforms like Uber, Swiggy, and Zomato?
Yes, the draft policy specifically mentions gig and platform workers as beneficiaries. However, the exact eligibility criteria and benefit structure for different worker categories are still being finalized. The government has sought public comments to address these specifics before final implementation.
