New ‘ShramMitra’ app to replace labour chowks in Haryana, claims Vij

Chandigarh: Haryana labour minister Anil Vij on Wednesday launched the "ShramMitra" mobile application, describing it as a major digital initiative that will modernise the labour sector and gradually replace the traditional labour chowk system in the state. Launching the app in Chandigarh, Vij said "ShramMitra" would function as an "electronic employment exchange," enabling workers to access daily job opportunities through mobile phones instead of waiting for work at labour chowks. Developed by the Haryana Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, the app will operate in Hindi, English and Punjabi and will be available free of cost on Android and Apple platforms. The minister said workers can register details of their skills, experience and trades, including mason, carpenter, electrician, plumber, welder, painter and gardener, besides self-employment professions such as barber and cobbler. Employers, meanwhile, can upload job requirements and directly connect with workers through the platform. The app also allows both parties to discuss wages, duration of work and other conditions. Equipped with geo-mapping technology, it will provide live information about location, distance and travel time, making hiring faster and more transparent.Vij said data of nearly 75,000 registered workers was already uploaded, and labour department teams will visit labour chowks across Haryana to help workers install the app. He said nearly 135 labour chowks are currently operational in the state, and expressed confidence that the new digital platform would eventually transform Haryana's labour ecosystem into a more organised, transparent and technology-driven system benefiting both workers and employers. MSID: 131228293 413 |