In News:

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has released the Draft National Labour& Employment Policy – Shram Shakti Niti 2025 for public consultation. This marks India’s first integrated national labour and employment policy, aiming to build a fair, inclusive, and future-ready workforce aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

Objective

• Shram Shakti Niti 2025 seeks to modernise India’s labour ecosystem by ensuring dignity, protection, and opportunity for every worker while responding to emerging challenges such as digital transformation, climate change, and global value chain integration.
• It signals a shift from regulation to facilitation, positioning the Ministry as a proactive employment enabler rather than merely a regulatory authority.

Core Vision and Pillars

The policy is guided by four overarching pillars:

• Dignity of Labour – Ensuring fairness, safety, and equal opportunity.
• Universal Inclusion – Extending benefits to all categories of workers, including informal and gig sectors.
• Cooperative Federalism – Promoting Centre–State coordination and tripartite dialogue among government, employers, and workers.
• Data-Driven Governance – Leveraging digital tools for evidence-based policymaking and transparency.

Seven Strategic Priorities

Shram Shakti Niti 2025 defines seven key focus areas that together shape India’s future of work:

• Universal and Portable Social Security:
  • Introduction of a Universal Social Security Account integrating EPFO, ESIC, e-Shram, and PM-JAY, ensuring lifelong and portable coverage.
  • Aims to enhance income security and protection for both formal and informal sector workers.
• Occupational Safety and Health:
  • Promotes AI-enabled workplace safety systems and health monitoring frameworks.
  • Strengthens compliance through digital inspections and risk-based certifications.
• Employment and Future Readiness:
  • Builds a resilient, skilled workforce ready for automation, AI, and green transitions.
  • Expands digital and vocational skill training to meet the demands of Industry 4.0.
• Women and Youth Empowerment:
  • Targets 35% female labour force participation by 2030.
  • Encourages flexible work models, childcare support, entrepreneurship, and skill pathways for youth.
• Ease of Compliance and Formalisation:
  • Launch of a single-window digital compliance portal with risk-based self-certification to simplify regulations and enhance trust-based governance.
• Technology and Green Transitions:
  • Promotes green jobs, sustainable enterprises, and AI-driven workforce management.
  • Aligns labour policy with India’s climate and sustainability goals.
• Convergence and Good Governance:
  • Establishes a three-tier institutional structure — National, State, and District Labour Missions.
  • Introduces a Labour& Employment Policy Evaluation Index (LEPEI) for performance tracking.
  • Integrates worker identities, enterprise data, and social security benefits into a unified Labour& Employment Stack.

Digital Public Infrastructure for Employment

A key innovation under Shram Shakti Niti 2025 is the transformation of the National Career Service (NCS) into India’s Employment Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
This platform will provide:

• AI-based job matching and credential verification,
• Skill alignment and career guidance, and
• Inclusive access to opportunities across Tier-II and Tier-III cities.

This approach aims to bridge the gap between job seekers, employers, and training institutions through trusted, interoperable digital systems.

Alignment with Labour Reforms

The draft policy complements the consolidation of 29 central labour laws into four Labour Codes:

1. Code on Wages, 2019
2. Industrial Relations Code, 2020
3. Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020
4. Social Security Code, 2020

Together, these aim to enhance ease of doing business while safeguarding workers’ rights.

Implementation Framework

The policy outlines a phased roadmap (2025–2047):

• Phase I (2025–27): Institutional setup, pilot projects, and digital integration of social security systems.
• Phase II (2027–30): Nationwide rollout of Universal Social Security and AI-driven employment services.
• Phase III (Beyond 2030): Full digital convergence and predictive, data-based labour governance.

Significance

• First comprehensive national labour policy integrating employment, social protection, and technology.
• Enhances labour market efficiency and reduces regulatory fragmentation.
• Ensures inclusive growth by bridging formal–informal divides and empowering women and youth.
• Strengthens cooperative federalism and participatory governance in the world of work.