KARWAR – In a significant move to strengthen the social safety net for vulnerable workers, the Uttara Kannada district administration is actively distributing smart cards to unorganized workers, ensuring their access to a range of welfare schemes implemented by the Karnataka Labour Department.
This initiative is crucial, considering that an estimated 83% of the country’s workforce is employed in the unorganized sector — often lacking access to legal and statutory benefits. To bridge this gap, the Karnataka State Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Board has been established, offering several schemes tailored to socially and economically weaker sections of the workforce.
Under the Ambedkar Labour Assistance Scheme, unorganized workers from 91 occupational categories are being identified and registered free of charge. So far, 97,694 workers in the district have received smart cards under this scheme.
The Karnataka State Private Commercial Transport Workers’ Accident Relief Scheme covers drivers, conductors, and cleaners between 20 and 70 years of age. The district has disbursed a total of ₹1.35 crore as compensation in 34 accident cases, along with ₹2.50 lakh in educational aid to 25 students.
Acknowledging the evolving gig economy, the Karnataka State Gig Workers’ Insurance Scheme provides e-commerce gig workers with insurance coverage up to ₹4 lakh, which includes ₹2 lakh accident relief and ₹2 lakh life insurance. A total of 678 gig workers have been registered and issued smart cards.
Similarly, the Karnataka State Newspaper Delivery Workers’ Accident Relief and Medical Facility Scheme offers ₹2 lakh accident relief and up to ₹1 lakh in medical assistance. So far, 131 newspaper delivery workers have benefited under this scheme.
The district is also witnessing the successful implementation of the Karnataka State Motor Transport and Other Related Workers’ Social Security and Welfare Scheme. This scheme covers a wide spectrum of transport and garage workers, including drivers, conductors, cleaners, depot clerks, booking and cash staff, station supervisors, garage mechanics, tyre fitters, wheel alignment technicians, loading/unloading workers, and those working in washing units and AC/electrical repair shops. A total of 12,297 workers have been registered and issued smart cards in this category.
Looking ahead, the government is expanding support to workers in the film and cultural sectors through the newly enacted Karnataka Cinema and Cultural Activities Workers’ Welfare Cess Act, 2024. The Act aims to mobilize resources to provide welfare benefits, with the framing of specific rules currently underway. A similar framework is also being prepared to extend social security to gig workers in the e-commerce sector.
District Labour Officer Lalita has urged all eligible unorganized workers to approach the Labour Department office for registration and avail themselves of these important welfare benefits. This initiative sets a strong example of how proactive governance can extend meaningful support to the most underprotected segments of society — a model that could inspire replication across other districts and states.