National Conference on Construction Workers Concludes in Mumbai

The two-day National Conference on Building and Other Construction Workers ended in Mumbai on 12 September 2026. The Ministry of Labour and Employment organised it with the Government of Maharashtra. It was held on 11 and 12 September 2026. Representatives of the Union Government, State and Union Territory governments, BOCW Welfare Boards and other stakeholders took part. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya chaired the first day. Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje was present with him.

What the Secretary said

Dr Chandra Bhushan Kumar, Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, opened the second day. He said the skill ecosystem must be strengthened and the dignity of labour placed at the centre of policy design. He said the labour market suffers from gaps in information and access, and that the link between jobseekers and employers must be made stronger. He said both interstate and international movement of workers should be kept in mind while designing social security and welfare schemes. He asked for closer attention to occupational health and physical safety at the worksite. He suggested consolidating the many separate measures now in force and making greater use of actuarial analysis for welfare schemes that last.

What the States presented

The sessions

The second day opened with a session on the roles and responsibilities of BOCW Welfare Boards in the light of the new labour codes. States and Union Territories presented their initiatives and best practices there, and a discussion followed. A separate session covered skilling and employment. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship made a presentation on skilling. The Ministry of Labour and Employment presented India's employment growth story. Another session was held on the Labour Stack. A further discussion covered the construction sector and the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers. Taken together, the two days gave States and Union Territories a place to compare what works in delivering welfare, skilling and employment services to construction workers, a group that moves often and is therefore hard to reach with a fixed scheme.