Patna: The Bihar legislature on Wednesday passed four significant bills aimed at strengthening the labour sector, including a landmark welfare bill for gig workers and legislation to establish the Jananayak Karpuri Thakur Skill University.
Labour Resources Minister Santosh Kumar Singh congratulated Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Sinha, and the people of Bihar for the unanimous passage of the bills. These include the Jananayak Bharat Ratna Karpuri Thakur Skill University Bill 2025, Bihar Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration, Social Security and Welfare) Bill 2025, Bihar Shops and Establishments (Employment Regulation and Service Conditions) Bill 2025, and the Factory (Amendment) Act 2025.
Skill University to Enhance Global Competitiveness
The Jananayak Karpuri Thakur Skill University Bill will integrate all industrial training institutes, polytechnic colleges, and skill centres under a central framework. Singh stated that the university aims to provide quality skill training, vocational education, entrepreneurship opportunities, innovation, and research to empower youth under the state’s “Saat Nischay” programme.
Gig Workers Welfare Bill for Social Security
The Bihar Platform Based Gig Workers Bill mandates compulsory registration of platforms and aggregators within 60 days, with gig workers receiving unique IDs to access welfare schemes. The bill provides Rs 4 lakh compensation in case of accidental death, Rs 16,000 for hospitalisation exceeding a week, Rs 5,400 for shorter hospitalisations, and disability benefits ranging from Rs 74,000 to Rs 2.5 lakh for 40-60 percent disabilities. Women gig workers will also receive 90 days of maternity leave.
Shops and Establishments Bill Brings Flexibility
The Bihar Shops and Establishments Bill 2025, replacing the 72-year-old Act of 1953, expands employment security, service conditions, bank transfer of wages, equal opportunities for women, and mandatory welfare facilities like toilets, drinking water, baby care rooms, and first aid kits. The bill allows establishments to remain open 24×7 and offers flexible working hours, enabling 10-hour shifts for 5 days or 11.5-hour shifts for 4 days within the 48-hour weekly limit.
Factory Act Amendment for Work-Life Balance
Amending the Factories Act, 1948, the Factory (Amendment) Act 2025 introduces similar work flexibility with either a 10-hour workday for 5 days or 11.5-hour workdays for 4 days while maintaining the 48-hour weekly cap. Singh said this would increase productivity while ensuring workers gain additional income through overtime.
