India, ranking second in global population, has approximately 500 million workers employed as laborers and on contractual basis across diverse sectors including agriculture, construction, and various industries. The Ministry of Labour and Employment, one of the longest-standing and most crucial ministries in India’s government, collaborates with state-level labor departments to issue labor cards. These cards are designed to support and empower both the workers and their families.
Labour Card : An Overview
A labour card is an identification document issued by state government labour departments to support workers in various sectors, including agriculture and daily wage jobs. This card is designed to help ensure the safety, development, education, and security of these workers.
Types of Labour Card
State governments typically issue two types of labour cards :
- Construction Card : For workers under the supervision of a licensed contractor, eligible for most scheme benefits.
- Social Card : For workers involved in non-construction work, agriculture, and farming, entitled to health insurance benefits.
Benefits of Labour Card
- Free education and life insurance benefits.
- Complimentary health insurance under programs like PM Ayushman Bharat Yojana and Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana.
- Support for women during pregnancy and childbirth.
- Aid in case of accidental death or injury.
- Educational scholarships for children.
- Financial support for purchasing work tools like shovels and other equipment.
- Access to home loans.
- Assistance with skill development programs.
- Financial aid for the cardholder’s daughter’s wedding.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar card
- Ration card (optional)
- Bank account number
- Email ID
- Aadhaar card number of family members
- Mobile number
- Passport size photographs
Eligibility Criteria
- Age between 18 and 40 years.
- Unorganized worker.
- Citizen of India.
- Not employed in the organized sector or a member of EPF/NPS/ESIC.
- Monthly salary not exceeding Rs. 15,000.
- Not an income tax payer.
- Resident of the state where applying.
Steps to Apply/ Register for Labour Card
- Go to your state’s official labour department website.
- Find the section for “New Labor Card Registration.”
- Select your district from the provided options.
- Enter your personal information, including your full name, email, and phone number.
- Input your Aadhaar card number.
- Confirm your phone number and email address.
- Press the “Submit” button to complete the registration.
How to Download Labour Card
“At present, online downloading of the Labour Card is not available. To obtain your Labour Card, you must visit the nearest office.”
State Wise Official Websites of Labour Departments
- Andhra Pradesh: Labour Department
- Arunachal Pradesh: Department of Labour and Employment
- Assam: Labour & Employment Department
- Bihar: Labour Department
- Chattisgarh: Department of Labour
- Goa: Department of Labour
- Gujarat: Labour & Employment Department
- Haryana: Labour Department
- Himachal Pradesh: Labour & Employment Department
- Jammu & Kashmir: Department of Labour and Employment
- Jharkhand: Labour and Employment
- Karnataka: Department of Labour
- Kerala: Labour Commissionerate
- Madhya Pradesh: Labour Department
- Maharashtra: Department of Labour
- Manipur: Department of Labour
- Meghalaya: Department of Employment and Craftsmen Training
- Mizoram: Labour, Employment & Industrial Training Department
- Nagaland: Labour & Employment Department
- Orissa: Labour Directorate
- Punjab: Labour & Employment Department
- Rajasthan: Labour Department
- Sikkim: Labour Department
- Tamil Nadu: Labour Department
- Tripura: Directorate of Labour
- Uttarakhand: Department of Labour
- Uttar Pradesh: Labour Department
- West Bengal: Labour Welfare Board
- Chandigarh: Labour Department
- Dadar & Nagar Haveli: Labour Department
- Diu: Labour and Employment Office
- Delhi: Labour Department
- Lakshadweep: Department Labour & Employment & Training
- Pondicherry: Labour Department