Patna: Bihar’s Minister for Labor Resources, Santosh Kumar Singh, presented the state’s vision for worker welfare on the international stage during the 113th session of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Conference, being held from June 2 to June 13, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland. He was joined by Deepak Anand, Secretary of the Labor Resources Department.
Santosh Kumar Singh, part of the Indian delegation as a guest minister, highlighted Bihar’s efforts in advancing labor rights and social protection through a comprehensive set of welfare schemes. “Workers from Bihar contribute significantly to the country’s development. The state government is committed to ensuring their dignity, rights and well-being,” he said.
He outlined 16 welfare schemes managed by the Bihar Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. These include financial support for marriage, education, maternity and paternity needs, bicycle purchase, pension, and death-related benefits. Additionally, the Migrant Labor Accident Grant Scheme provides financial aid to workers and their families in cases of injury or death, whether the incident occurs within India or abroad.
Santosh also spotlighted Bihar’s efforts in skill development through the Bihar Skill Development Mission. Flagship initiatives such as the Skilled Youth Programme, Financial Accounting, RTD, Domain Skilling, and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) are designed to equip youth with market-relevant skills.
Deepak Anand elaborated on the department’s digital initiatives, particularly the Migrant Laborer-Kamgar App. “This platform connects migrant workers with welfare schemes while simultaneously building a panchayat-level database to improve outreach,” he said.
He also noted that all government-run Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in Bihar have been upgraded into Centres of Excellence in collaboration with Tata Technologies. These centres now offer training in modern technologies, including robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), electric vehicles (EV), 3D printing, and augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR).
India, participating as a key member country in the ILO forum, emphasized regional innovation and policy leadership in labor welfare. Bihar’s prominent presence at the conference underlines the state’s growing role in shaping inclusive and forward-looking labor strategies.
