Bihar Showcases Labour Welfare and Skill Development Schemes at ILO Conference in Geneva

KKN Gurugram Desk | The 113th International Labour Organization (ILO) Conference, being held in Geneva from June 2 to June 13, 2025, witnessed the active participation of the Bihar Government, showcasing India’s growing commitment to inclusive labour welfare and skill development. Representing the state of Bihar on this prestigious global platform were Labour Resources Minister Santosh Kumar Singh and Department Secretary Deepak Anand.

Bihar’s delegation presented an overview of the state’s progressive labour welfare schemes, focusing on migrant workers, construction labourers, skill development, and technological innovation in vocational training. The initiative underscored Bihar’s intent to emerge as a policy-driven and socially responsive state, capable of contributing to the global labour agenda.

Bihar Labour Minister Represents India as “Guest Minister”

The Indian delegation to the ILO summit this year included Minister Santosh Kumar Singh in the capacity of a “Guest Minister”, a special designation accorded by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. His inclusion reflects the central government’s recognition of Bihar’s policy work in labour welfare and its innovative models in workforce empowerment.

In his address to the global audience, Minister Singh emphasized the significant role of Bihar’s workers in driving economic activities across the country. He noted:

“Bihar’s labour force contributes meaningfully to infrastructure and development projects nationwide. Therefore, it is our responsibility to ensure their welfare, dignity, and socio-economic security.”

16 Welfare Schemes for Construction Workers in Bihar

Minister Singh highlighted that under the Bihar Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, the state is currently running 16 targeted welfare schemes. These include support in key life events and needs such as:

• Marriage assistance

• Educational scholarships

• Maternity and paternity benefits

• Bicycle purchase subsidies

• Financial aid in case of death or disability

• Pension schemes

These schemes are designed to offer social and financial protection to unorganized sector workers, particularly those in hazardous or low-paying occupations.

Migrant Worker Accident Assistance Scheme Gains Recognition

Minister Singh also spoke about the Migrant Worker Accident Assistance Scheme, a unique policy that provides financial relief to migrant workers and their dependents in case of injury or death, whether in India or abroad. This initiative is especially relevant for a state like Bihar, which has one of the highest migrant worker populations in India.

Through this scheme, families of deceased or injured workers are provided with immediate monetary assistance, helping reduce the long-term financial stress of affected households.

Bihar Skill Development Mission: Training Youth for the Future

Another significant presentation at the ILO summit was on the Bihar Skill Development Mission (BSDM). Minister Singh outlined how the mission has evolved into a comprehensive program aimed at equipping youth with industry-relevant skills to meet changing market demands.

Key training components under BSDM include:

• Kushal Yuva Program (KYP): Focused on soft skills and digital literacy

• Financial Accounting Programs

• RTD (Retail, Tourism, Domestic services) training modules

• Domain Skilling Programs across trades

• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Certifying workers with existing informal skills

This approach not only enhances employability but also fosters entrepreneurial capabilities among Bihar’s youth.

Digital Leap: Migrant Worker-Connect Mobile App

Department Secretary Deepak Anand introduced the innovative “Migrant Worker-Kamgar App”, a mobile-based platform designed to digitally connect migrant workers with government schemes and benefits. The app serves as a real-time tool to:

• Register migrant workers and maintain a live database at the Panchayat level

• Enable access to government schemes, including healthcare, insurance, and education

• Send alerts and emergency updates during disasters or crises

He noted:

“This app is more than just a tool; it is a bridge between policy and people. Our goal is to bring government services directly into the hands of those who need them the most.”

The use of digital technology in labour governance makes Bihar a case study in effective e-governance for unorganized labour.

ITIs in Bihar Transformed into Centres of Excellence

Furthering the state’s digital and technical advancement, Secretary Anand announced that all government-run ITIs (Industrial Training Institutes) in Bihar have been upgraded into Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in collaboration with Tata Technologies.

These state-of-the-art institutes now offer advanced training in:

• Robotics

• Internet of Things (IoT)

• Electric Vehicles (EV) Technology

• 3D Printing

• Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR-VR)

This transformation ensures that Bihar’s technical education infrastructure aligns with international standards and industry expectations.

India’s Role in ILO: Bihar Reflects a Model of Labour-Centric Governance

India is participating in the ILO summit as one of its four governing body member states, which allows it to influence global decisions on labour rights and policy frameworks. Bihar’s representation at this event signifies the increasing decentralization of India’s global labour diplomacy, where states with innovative policies are now sharing the spotlight.

This presence also helps project Bihar as:

• A policy innovator in labour and welfare governance

• A responsive state actively bridging gaps between rural workforces and modern labour markets

• A regional player aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as decent work, poverty reduction, and gender equality

ILO Summit 2025: A Platform for Dialogue and Global Solidarity

The 113th ILO Conference includes participation from over 180 countries, bringing together representatives from governments, workers’ groups, and employers’ associations. The conference addresses global themes like:

• Workplace safety

• Labour rights in the gig economy

• Gender equality in employment

• Digital transitions and their impact on jobs

India’s inclusion, and particularly Bihar’s involvement, adds a nuanced voice from the Global South, especially on topics like migration, informal labour, and skill-to-employment pipelines.

Future Outlook: Bihar’s Labour Vision for 2030

Bihar’s participation at the ILO is more than a diplomatic success — it outlines a forward-looking vision for labour and youth empowerment in the state.

By 2030, the state aims to:

• Reduce unemployment rates through targeted skilling and micro-enterprise support

• Expand the digital coverage of social welfare among unorganized labour

• Position vocational education as a mainstream, aspirational path for youth

• Build partnerships with global organizations for funding, innovation, and technology transfer

Minister Santosh Kumar Singh and Secretary Deepak Anand’s presence at the ILO summit represents a quiet revolution taking shape in Bihar — one that prioritizes people over politics, technology over tradition, and empowerment over dependency.

In a rapidly transforming global economy, where the rights and roles of workers are constantly being redefined, Bihar’s model offers a blend of social responsibility and structural reform that could serve as a template for other Indian states — and even developing countries.

KKNLive will continue to track the impact of this global participation on Bihar’s local policies and workforce development initiatives.