India, home to the second-largest population in the world, has approximately 500 million labourers and contractual workers employed across various sectors such as agriculture, construction, and industries. The Ministry of Labour and Employment, a key government body, along with state labour departments, provides labour cards to these workers to support and empower them and their families.
Understanding Labour Cards
A labour card is an identity card issued by the state government’s labour department, designed to support workers in sectors like agriculture and daily wages. This card ensures the safety, development, education, and security of labourers and their families.
Categories of Labour Cards
Labour cards are generally classified into two types:
- Building Card: Issued to workers under licensed contractors, providing access to most scheme benefits.
- Social Card: Given to workers in non-building work, agriculture, and farming, offering health insurance benefits.
Official Labour Department Websites by State
- Andhra Pradesh: Labour Department
- Arunachal Pradesh: Department of Labour and Employment
- Assam: Labour & Employment Department
- Bihar: Labour Department
- Chhattisgarh: 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
- Odisha: 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
- Dadra & Nagar Haveli: Labour Department
- Diu: Labour and Employment Office
- Delhi: Labour Department
- Lakshadweep: Department Labour & Employment & Training
- Puducherry: Labour Department
Eligibility Criteria for Labour Card Application
To be eligible for a labour card, you must meet the following criteria:
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- Aged between 18 and 40 years.
- An unorganised worker.
- Indian citizen.
- Not employed in the organised sector or a member of EPF/NPS/ESIC.
- Monthly salary not exceeding Rs.15,000.
- Not an income taxpayer.
- Resident of the state where applying.
Required Documents for Labour Card Application
The following documents are necessary to apply for a labour card online:
- Aadhaar card
- Ration card (optional)
- Bank account number
- Email ID
- Aadhaar card number of family members
- Mobile number
- Passport size photographs
Steps to Apply/Register for a Labour Card Online
- Visit your state’s labour department official website.
- Locate the ‘New Labour Card Registration’.
- Select your District from the drop-down menu.
- Fill in your details: first name, last name, email address, and mobile number.
- Enter your Aadhaar card number.
- Verify your mobile number and email address.
- Click on ‘Submit’.
Downloading a Labour Card
Currently, you cannot download the Labour Card online. Visit the nearest labour department office to obtain your Labour Card.
Benefits of a Labour Card
A labour card offers various benefits, including:
- Free education and life insurance.
- Health insurance under schemes like PM Ayushman Bharat Yojana and Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana.
- Assistance for women during pregnancy and childbirth.
- Support in case of death or injury due to an accident.
- Scholarships for children’s education.
- Financial aid for purchasing equipment.
- Access to home loans.
- Skill development assistance.
- Financial help for the marriage of the cardholder’s daughter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Who can apply for a labour card?
Labour cards are generally available to individuals who work at least 90 days per year, with the requirement to submit a list of 90-day work certificates.
- Is a labour card the same as an NREGA job card?
No, a labour card is different from an NREGA job card.
- Can I apply for a labour card online?
Yes, you can apply for a labour card online by visiting the official website of your state’s labour department.
- Do I need to renew my labour card?
Yes, you must renew your labour card once it expires.