AN EXPLORATORY RESEARCH ON ENHANCING AWARENESS OF E- SHRAM APPLICATION FOR GIG WORKERS

The rapid growth of the gig economy in India has led to an increase in the number of workers engaged in freelance and platform-based employment. However, these gig workers often lack access to formal social security systems. In response, the Government of India introduced the E-Shram application to register unorganized sector workers and extend welfare benefits to them. Despite its objectives, the awareness and adoption of the E-Shram platform among gig workers remain limited. This exploratory research employed a survey-based methodology, targeting gig workers across India to assess their level of awareness regarding the E-Shram application. The findings indicate that a substantial percentage of gig workers are unaware of the platform, with key barriers including low digital literacy, inadequate dissemination of information, and procedural difficulties. The study recommends the implementation of targeted awareness campaigns, simplification of the registration process, and strategic partnerships with gig economy platforms to increase accessibility and engagement. These measures are essential to bridge the awareness gap and ensure that gig workers receive the social security benefits provided by the E-Shram initiative. Future research should explore the long-term impact of E-Shram and how policy changes can further improve worker protection.