Bihar Man Left his Job to Build LinkedIn for Blue-Collar Jobs: The 1st Ever Platform for Daily-Wage Workers

Chandrashekhar Mandal, a corporate worker, left his job to start Digital Labour Chowk and provide a platform for blue-collar jobs. Workers signed up on this platform do not have to migrate in search of work. Plus, they are earning better wages and have the chance to take next project when their present project is about to complete.

Chandrashekhar’s attempt is helping these workers to live with dignity, identity, and a steady income.

Competitors: Zimmber, Dusminute, HomeTriangle, Taskbob, Gapoon, Timesaverz, Inspacco, Corrit, befikr.in, and CAREMS.

The Problem: Why Does This Matter?

There are platforms for white-collar jobs like Naukri, Indeed, Foundit, LinkedIn, and more. Then why shouldn’t there be one for the blue-collar jobs?

Daily wage labourers are the weakest section of society in terms of work and earnings. Despite numerous developments in the nation, this section is still struggling daily for work.

Standing at the labour chowk (a spot from where they gather and people hire them) and waiting to get hired is their daily task, irrespective of the immense heat or downpour. Then also, some had to return home dejected, because they were not hired.

Moreover, labourers have to migrate from their hometowns to urban areas in search of work.

Chandrashekhar Mandal has witnessed this same scenario since childhood in his very rural area in Bihar and from his corporate office.

A question popped up: When the entire world is going digital, why not labour chowks?

Fact: India’s construction sector is the 2nd largest employer in the country after agriculture. As per a Knight Frank & RICS report, 71 million workers were estimated to be employed in this sector by 2023. Out of this more than 80% are unskilled.

This is another major gap that needs to be filled, and Chandrashekar Mandal understood this.

The Solution: Digital Labour Chowk

In January 2020, he decided to build one as everyone should have the same opportunity to work.

In March 2020, when the pandemic hit and the world went under lockdown, the worst hit was suffered by this labour group.

In 2021, he launched Digital Labour Chowk app. It is an online platform which provides jobs to daily-wage workers.

The platform is for construction companies & workers, masons, painters, carpenters, and more.

• After signing up, the employer adds details: location, kind of job, wages per day, number of days for the work to be done, food & accommodation provided or not.
• Workers also add details like: their skills, minimum wages, and past experiences.
• Both workers and employers can contact each other and discuss the details directly with each other.

https://youtu.be/UK8nithd4Ec?si=w_V8iQubZ98o7XDb

Business Model: How Do They Make Money?

Digital Labour Chowk is free for workers. However, after 10 free connections, the employer has to pay a subscription fee.

Although not much information is available about their business module, their revenue in FY 23 was around Rs 34.9 lakh. The company is earning through traffic on their platform and moreover, they have investors to support their functioning.

Challenges/Struggles: What Roadblocks Are They Facing?

When a boy from Ami village in Darbhanga, Bihar left his corporate job and returned home with only Rs 20k in his pocket, his family was not happy with his decision.

It was the biggest challenge because his father, being the sole breadwinner of the family, sent his son to Delhi for higher education and a job with a handsome salary.

But what now?

Challenge: In September 2020, he left his job and the first few months were difficult. But then he searched for government schemes and loans available in this regard.

Solution: He registered Digital Labour Chowk Private Limited. Also, he landed his first investor in an incubator in Pune and received a Rs 10 lakh investment in August 2021. This was followed by a series of investments and grants.

Challenge: After building the website and app, also completing the legal and technical duties, there comes the biggest challenge. To bring the workers on board.

Solution: He hired 7 team members and decided to sign up shop owners (grocery or mobile shops near the labour chowks) as business associates. These shop owners would get these workers to register on the app.

Moreover, the team used to campaign in the labour chowks and offer refreshing beverages from their 20-liter thermos jars: Roohafza in summers and chai (milk tea) in winters.

With most workers hailing from Bihar, it was easy for Chandrashekar to communicate with them. In highly populated districts, they installed kiosks to spread the word. Chandrashekhar partnered with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) and builders’ associations in Noida and Bihar. Joined 100+ construction groups on Facebook and built contacts to find customers.

Future Vision: What’s Next?

Since 2021, Digital Labour Chowk has changed the lives of over 1 lakh people by providing them with a regular income.

Furthermore, they are planning to make digital labour cards for the workers that will provide a unique identity to them.

To boost the morale of workers, Chandrashekhar is planning to give performance-based incentives to them.

Moreover, the company plans to partner with institutes to arrange upskilling courses for the workers to fill the gap between unskilled laborer and their work.

Key Takeaways: Why Should Users Care?

Sometimes, being helpful towards our community helps us in building ourselves too. Just as Chandrashekhar left his job to fulfill this idea and millions of workers got the chance to live with their families and migrate only when a certain work opportunity is available.

Picture Credits: Chandrashekhar Mandal,  Digital Labour Chowk