The Ministry of Labour & Employment wrapped up a two-day national conference on Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) in Mumbai on September 12, 2026. The event brought together federal and state officials, welfare boards and other stakeholders to discuss how to improve the lives and job prospects of construction workers across India.
What was discussed
The conference focused on three main areas: strengthening welfare delivery for construction workers, improving skill training, and creating better connections between job seekers and employers. Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour & Employment, stressed the importance of placing worker dignity at the heart of all policy decisions and addressing gaps in how workers find jobs and access information about opportunities.
Several states showcased their own programmes during the conference:
- Uttar Pradesh presented its skill development initiatives for building workers
- Rajasthan shared its Digital Labour Chowks project
- Bihar highlighted its Shram Seva Suvidha Kendras (worker service centres)
- Assam introduced the Nirman Sakhi Portal
The Secretary identified several priorities going forward, including better use of data analysis to design sustainable welfare schemes, stronger coordination between central and state governments, and greater attention to worker safety and occupational health. He also flagged the need to account for workers who move between states or seek employment abroad when designing social security programmes.
Separate sessions covered skill development in partnership with the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, employment trends, digital labour platforms, and how construction worker wage statistics are calculated.
What this means for you
If you work in construction or are looking for a job in that sector, these discussions could lead to better access to training programmes, clearer information about available positions, and stronger safety protections on worksites. States are also expected to learn from each other’s successful projects, potentially expanding helpful services like digital job platforms and worker support centres to your area.