Patna: The Bihar government has praised the growing global presence of its workforce and pledged to expand welfare schemes for labourers, as officials marked International Workers’ Day with an event in Patna.
Speaking at a ceremony at the Dashrath Manjhi Institute of Labour and Employment Studies on Friday, the labour resources and migrant workers’ welfare secretary, Deepak Anand, said workers from the state had “carved out a distinct identity” worldwide and were increasingly influential in shaping policy abroad.
“Workers from Bihar are the true architects of this land,” Anand said, adding that their skills and work ethic had enabled them to establish themselves in countries across the globe. He said the department’s priority was to ensure that welfare programmes reached “the very last individual”.
The event, inaugurated with a ceremonial lamp-lighting, formed part of the state’s May Day observances and included a pledge by officials to strengthen delivery of labour welfare schemes. Anand said the department was working to bring services closer to workers through outreach initiatives, including camps to process applications for benefits.
Officials highlighted a range of schemes administered by the state, including 16 programmes run by the Bihar Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board. These provide financial assistance in cases of accident, disability and death, as well as support for migrant labourers working within India and overseas.
The department also pointed to provisions for transporting the bodies of deceased migrant workers back to their home state, with costs covered by the government, and grants for workers who suffer temporary or permanent disability.
Under the Bihar Shatabdi Unorganised Sector Workers and Artisans Social Security (Amendment) Scheme, 2024, labourers are eligible for financial assistance in cases of accidental death, disability and serious illness, alongside scholarships for their children.
Referring to recent concerns involving workers in Gulf countries, Anand said the department had been monitoring the situation closely and had issued a helpline to assist those affected. He added that officials had been directed to provide “every possible support” to returning workers.
The government is also preparing to introduce new labour codes, which are expected to be placed before the state cabinet soon.
Sunil Kumar Yadav, the department’s special secretary, said efforts were under way to curb labour exploitation and urged construction workers to register with the welfare board to access benefits. “No worker should be deprived of these schemes,” he said.
At the event, Bihar’s labour commissioner, Rajesh Bharti, outlined revised minimum wage rates effective from April 1, 2026 under the Code on Wages, 2019. The daily rates have been set at Rs 436 for unskilled workers, Rs 452 for semi-skilled workers, Rs 551 for skilled workers and Rs 672 for highly skilled workers.
A total of 63 workers were honoured at the ceremony by factory managers from across the state in recognition of their work. Senior labour department officials and workers were among those in attendance.
