Centre calls for stronger Centre-state synergy to improve BOCW welfare delivery

The government has called for greater coordination between the Centre and states to strengthen welfare, skilling, employment and service delivery mechanisms for Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW).

The call was made during a two-day BOCW conference in Mumbai, which brought together states and Union Territories to share experiences, best practices and measures aimed at improving welfare delivery for construction workers.

Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, highlighted the key challenges and opportunities in the BOCW sector. He stressed the importance of strengthening the skill ecosystem and placing dignity of labour at the centre of policy and programme design to create a more inclusive and resilient labour ecosystem.

He also emphasised the need to address information and accessibility gaps in the labour market and improve mechanisms connecting jobseekers with employers. The Secretary said worker mobility, including interstate and international migration, should be considered while designing social security and welfare schemes.

Greater attention, he added, was needed towards occupational health, physical safety and other workplace concerns of construction workers. He also encouraged more frequent exchanges and virtual engagements between the Centre and states to promote sustained collaboration and mutual learning.

Looking ahead, the government highlighted the need to consolidate various welfare measures and make greater use of actuarial analysis to ensure sustainable welfare interventions.

Several states and Union Territories presented their initiatives during the conference. Uttar Pradesh highlighted its skill-development initiatives for building workers, Rajasthan shared its experience with Digital Labour Chowks, Bihar presented its Shram Seva Suvidha Kendras, while Assam showcased the Nirman Sakhi Portal.

The conference also included a dedicated session on skilling and employment, featuring presentations by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and the Ministry of Labour and Employment on India's employment growth story.