Workers Facilitation Centres in Gurugram

More than 94% of migrant workers do not have access to any savings, subsidized ration, health insurance, life insurance, or pension according to Agrasar's Research with migrant workers in 2021. Even though, Government spends more than INR 110 billion annually on Social Security Schemes and has created the infrastructure that can potentially connect all workers and their family members with provisions that are essential to lead a dignified life.

What's missing is the last mile connectivity.

We need the support in scaling up of Workers Facilitation Centres (run by Agrasar) that leverage existing government infrastructure to enhance the social security of workers in Gurgaon and other cities who work in companies, factories, shops, construction sites, homes, and other informal occupations like street vending and home-based jobs. Those who build and nourish our cities with their hands, heart, and soul.

We currently have 3 centres in Gurugram – Sikanderpur, Islampur, and Gandhinagar.

The Objectives of WFC are as follows -

1) Strengthening the Identity of disadvantaged workers (documents and social connect with the city).

2) Need-based access to government schemes, enhancing social security and drawing optimum benefits from them.

3) Facilitating better work conditions in the informal sector through negotiations and collectivization.

4) Ensuring sustainability through designing and implementing in partnership with the community.

We will achieve these objectives through the following Working Model -

1)     Community Outreach through household visits, FGDs, Canopies, and Street play.

2)     Centre as a Hub for registering workers based on need assessment.

3)     Camps for Bank Accounts and linking with government schemes in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

4)     Capacity Building Workshops to enhance Financial & Legal Literacy and preventive healthcare behavior.

5)     Government Partnerships to leverage public infrastructure and social capital.

The proposed 5 WFCs, each with Annual Goals are as follows –

1)     Access to correct Identity cards (Aadhar, PAN, Family ID) – 1000 people

2)     Benefit of government schemes (savings, insurance, pension) – 500 families

3)     Opening of Bank Accounts and/or increase in savings – 300 families

4)     Resolving legal cases – 50 people

5)     Financial, Legal, Preventive Health-care Literacy – 500 people

Total direct primary stakeholders (Workers and family members supported) through 1 Centre = 3500 (Considering some overlap and family size of 5)

One of the important objectives of the program is to leave a particular community in the hands of the Agrasar Saathis within 05 years of the launch of the WFC. 'Agrasar Saathis’ are committed community volunteers taking leadership and running the WFCs with minimal support from the organization.