Every morning on his way to work, Chandrashekhar Mandal passed the same unsettling scene: a roadside labour chowk in Noida where dozens of daily-wage workers stood for hours in scorching heat or pouring rain, often without food or guarantee of work, hoping to be hired.
“It was inhumane,” Chandrashekhar recalls. “Even if they got a job, there was no way to verify the employer, no assurance of wages, no safety—especially for women.” Then came COVID-19. The streets emptied and jobs vanished. Alone in his home, Chandra began to reflect deeply on the inequality he had witnessed. “These workers are the backbone of India’s infrastructure and construction industry, yet they live without basic sustenance and security.”
That realization sparked an idea—and a mission. He founded Digital Labour Chowk (DLC), India’s first tech-enabled platform for daily-wage construction workers.
It almost didn’t happen. “When I began, I had ₹20,000 in my bank account. I had no safety net, just a stubborn belief that something had to change,” Chandra says. “There were nights I wondered if I should just go back to a full-time job. But a worker I spoke to said, ‘Even if this helps one of us, it’s worth it.’ So how could I give up?”
Built for Inclusion, Skill Growth, and Dignity Since its launch, DLC has impacted over 1.5 lakh workers, helping them secure employment and essential protections.
Through DLC, daily-wage construction workers can now create a verified account via a mobile app available in 15 regional languages. They can search for verified job listings, access health insurance, build digital resumes, enroll in government-approved upskilling programs, and receive payments through formal channels. DLC’s new recommendation engine allows employers to proactively discover and reach out to skilled workers—including those without smartphones—ensuring no one is left behind. Plus, the launch of DLC Coins rewards positive engagement on the platform, making dignity not just a principle, but a daily practice.
Given its potential to scale, DLC has already raised approximately ₹3 crore in funding through a mix of VC and angel investments, government support, and innovation awards.
Empowering Local Economies
DLC also offers a Project Portal for small-scale, local contractors can browse contract opportunities from major companies like L&T, Sobha, and Reliance. “Many small contractors have teams and skills but can’t access larger projects,” explains Chandra. Already, 7000+ small contractors have signed up to access contracts through the portal, growing the local economy in the process. As Chandra says, “Through DLC, people are finding work, respect, and a secure future.”
Watch Chandra’s INKtalk: https://lnkd.in/g4UVRsCV
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