Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday said Odisha is poised to play a leading role in strengthening workers’ welfare while contributing decisively to India’s future development through technology-driven growth and skill development.
Addressing the 21st Triennial Conference of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) held in Puri, the Chief Minister underlined the centrality of labour in the state’s development vision.
In his address, Majhi said that Indian culture accords the highest dignity to labour, drawing inspiration from the tradition of Mahaprabhu Jagannath where no work is considered small or insignificant. He noted that this philosophy continues to guide labour relations and policy decisions in the country.
Referring to rapid shifts in the global economic landscape, the Chief Minister said emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, automation and quantum computing are fundamentally transforming the labour market. While acknowledging that automation and AI are leading to the disappearance of many traditional jobs, he asserted that reskilling and upskilling of workers remain the only sustainable solution to address these challenges.
Majhi pointed out that India has the world’s second-largest workforce, with nearly 1.3 crore youth entering the job market every year. In this context, he welcomed the Prime Minister’s internship programme, which aims to provide internship opportunities to one crore youth across the top 500 companies over the next five years, describing it as a significant step towards improving employability and practical exposure.
Speaking on industrial growth in Odisha, the Chief Minister said the state has witnessed strong momentum over the past 20 months, with projects worth ₹2.5 lakh crore already initiated. He added that investments to the tune of around ₹20 lakh crore are expected in the coming years, making the availability of a trained and skilled workforce critical for sustaining this growth. He also highlighted the implementation of the four Labour Codes, stating that they have replaced outdated laws and strengthened provisions related to social security, health facilities and overtime benefits for workers.
Detailing welfare initiatives, Majhi said that more than 51 lakh workers are benefiting from schemes implemented through the Odisha Construction and Other Building Workers’ Welfare Board and similar bodies. These include education and marriage assistance for workers’ children and compensation of up to ₹6 lakh in cases of accidental death. He further mentioned scholarships for ITI and diploma courses, housing facilities in industrial areas, welfare measures for unorganised workers, and the provision of up to 200 days of employment in several districts, which has helped reduce distress migration.
Calling upon trade unions to adapt to changing times, the Chief Minister urged them to play a constructive role in safeguarding workers’ interests while actively supporting reskilling and capacity-building initiatives. He said Odisha is moving steadily towards becoming a prosperous state by 2036, while India is on course to become a developed nation by 2047, with workers playing a decisive role in achieving these goals. The government, he affirmed, remains fully committed to protecting the dignity, security and future of the workforce.
The conference was attended by Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh President Hiranmayee Pandya, Deputy General Secretary Surendra Kumar Pandey, General Secretary Ravindra Himte, labour expert Yuki Otsuji, and trade union representatives from several countries.
