Full Form of UDW

What is UDW?

Unorganised Workers (UDW) refers to the vast segment of India's workforce engaged in informal employment without formal contracts, social security benefits, or legal protection. This category includes daily wage labourers, domestic helpers, street vendors, agricultural workers, construction workers, and self-employed individuals operating outside structured enterprises. India has one of the largest unorganised workforces globally, with estimates suggesting over 80 percent of the total workforce falls under this segment. The term gained legislative importance with the Unorganised Workers' Social Security Act of 2008, which was later subsumed under the broader Code on Social Security, 2020. The Government of India launched the e-Shram portal to create a comprehensive national database of unorganised workers, enabling them to access welfare schemes, insurance, and pension benefits. UDW is a critical topic for UPSC, SSC, banking, and state public service examinations, particularly under labour welfare, economic policy, and social justice sections. Understanding the unorganised sector is essential for grasping India's labour market dynamics and the challenges of inclusive growth.

UDW का फुल फॉर्म

Example

The e-Shram portal aims to register over 38 crore Unorganised Workers (UDW) across India so they can directly access welfare schemes and social security benefits.

UDW — frequently asked questions