Gujarat disburses ₹2,029 crore bonus to 12.44 lakh workers, expands labour reforms
Synopsis
On International Labour Day, Gujarat revealed it paid ₹2,029 crore in bonuses to over 12.44 lakh workers in 2024-25 — the largest such disclosure from the state in recent years. Paired with 13,810 digital inspections, 18,402 call centre queries handled, and four lakh e-Shram registrations, the announcement is as much a political statement on governance as it is a welfare update.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat disbursed ₹2,029.17 crore in bonuses to over 12.44 lakh workers during 2024-25 , timed to the Diwali period.
Mediation efforts resulted in ₹11.13 crore in wage difference payments to 7,655 workers across 1,232 institutions in 2025.
The Shram Setu Portal processed 5,550 applications online in 2025; 13,810 inspections were conducted digitally.
The Labour Support Call Centre handled 18,402 calls in 2025.
Over four lakh unorganised workers registered on the e-Shram portal in Gujarat between January and December 2025.
Reforms linked to the Jan Vishwas Bill were incorporated into the Gujarat Industrial Relations Act and Gujarat Shops and Establishments Act .
The Gujarat government disbursed more than ₹2,029 crore in bonuses to over 12.44 lakh workers during 2024-25, while simultaneously expanding digital grievance infrastructure and labour law reforms, according to official data released on the occasion of International Labour Day on 1 May. The announcements were made from Gandhinagar and position Gujarat as one of the more active states in formalising worker welfare mechanisms.
Bonus Disbursements and Wage Settlements
The ₹2,029.17 crore bonus payout, covering over 12.44 lakh workers, was aligned with the Diwali period during 2024-25 — a practice common across Indian states that links festive timing to labour payouts. Separately, mediation efforts by the state resulted in the payment of more than ₹11.13 crore as wage differences to 7,655 workers across 1,232 institutions in 2025. Officials framed these disbursements as evidence of the government's commitment to
Point of View
029 crore to over 12 lakh workers — is significant, but the headline figure alone does not reveal average per-worker payouts or how they compare with statutory minimums. More telling is the Jan Vishwas-linked decriminalisation of labour offences: while framed as ease-of-doing-business, such moves have historically reduced deterrence against wage violations. Gujarat's digital infrastructure — the Shram Setu Portal, online inspections, the call centre — is a genuine administrative upgrade, but its reach among migrant and contract workers, who remain the most exploited segment, is unverified. The e-Shram registration numbers are encouraging but registration is not the same as coverage or benefit delivery.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much bonus did Gujarat disburse to workers in 2024-25?
The Gujarat government disbursed ₹2,029.17 crore in bonuses to over 12.44 lakh workers during 2024-25, with payments timed to the Diwali period. This was announced on the occasion of International Labour Day on 1 May.
What is the Shram Setu Portal?
The Shram Setu Portal is a digital grievance redressal platform launched by Gujarat's Labour, Skill Development and Employment Department. It handles disputes related to gratuity, wage increases, termination, and other worker demands, and processed 5,550 online applications in 2025.
What labour law reforms did Gujarat introduce in 2025?
Gujarat incorporated provisions linked to the Centre's Jan Vishwas Bill into the Gujarat Industrial Relations Act and the Gujarat Shops and Establishments Act. The amendments include compounding of offences and revised penalties, aimed at simplifying compliance for businesses.
How many workers registered on e-Shram in Gujarat in 2025?
More than four lakh unorganised workers registered on the e-Shram portal in Gujarat between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025. The portal was launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in 2021 to bring informal workers into a national database.
What did Gujarat's Labour Support Call Centre achieve in 2025?
The Labour Support Call Centre received 18,402 calls in 2025. Officials stated that appropriate guidance and action were provided on all calls, aimed at building workers' trust in the state's grievance systems.
