India, home to the world’s second-largest population, boasts nearly 500 million laborers and contractual workers across various sectors, including agriculture, construction, and industry. The Ministry of Labour and Employment, one of the most established and essential ministries in the Indian government, collaborates with state labor departments to issue labor cards, aiming to support and uplift these workers and their families.
What is a Labour Card?
A labor card is an identification card provided by a state government’s labor department to assist workers in sectors such as agriculture, daily wages, and other fields. This card is crucial for ensuring the safety, development, education, and security of these workers.
Types of Labour Cards
State governments generally issue two types of labor cards:
- Building Card: This card is for workers supervised by licensed contractors and provides access to the majority of scheme benefits.
- Social Card: This card caters to workers involved in non-building work, agriculture, and farming, offering benefits like health insurance.
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
Eligibility Criteria to Apply for a Labour Card
- Age between 18 and 40 years.
- Unorganised worker.
- Indian citizen.
- Not employed in the organised sector or a member of EPF/NPS/ESIC.
- Monthly salary not exceeding ₹15,000.
- Not an income taxpayer.
- Resident of the state where applying.
Documents Required to Apply for a Labour Card
- Aadhaar card
- Ration card (optional)
- Bank account details
- Email ID
- Aadhaar numbers of family members
- Mobile number
- Passport size photographs
How to Apply/Register for a Labour Card (Online)
- Visit the official website of your state’s labour department.
- Look for the ‘New Labour Card Registration’ section.
- Choose your district from the drop-down menu.
- Enter details like first name, last name, email address, and mobile number.
- Provide your Aadhaar card number.
- Verify your mobile number and email address.
- Click on ‘Submit’.
How to Download a Labour Card
Currently, labor cards cannot be downloaded online. To obtain a labor card, you must visit the nearest labor office.
Benefits of a Labour Card
- Free education and life insurance benefits.
- Free health insurance under schemes like PM Ayushman Bharat Yojana and Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana.
- Assistance for women during pregnancy and childbirth.
- Financial aid in case of death or injury due to an accident.
- Scholarships for children’s education.
- Financial assistance for purchasing tools and equipment.
- Home loans.
- Support for skill development.
- Financial assistance for the marriage of the cardholder’s daughter.
FAQs
Who can apply for a labour card?
Workers who have been employed for at least 90 days per year are generally eligible for a labor card. They must provide proof of their 90-day employment period.
Is the labour card the same as the NREGA job card?
No, the NREGA job card is different from a labor card.
Can I apply for a labour card online?
Yes, you can apply for a labor card online by visiting the official website of your respective state’s labor department.
Do I need to renew my labour card?
Yes, once your labor card expires, you need to renew it.