By Banwan Lyngdoh

It was a pleasant surprise on May 1 to learn that International Workers' Day was celebrated at the state level after many years.

Previously, it appeared that nobody cared about the workers or the hands that build Meghalaya, as one of the most important days for labourers had been overlooked. Beyond the optics, the true essence of the celebration lay in the presence of hundreds of workers at U Soso Tham auditorium - the very hands that drive Meghalaya's progress - and the support announced to them.
To appreciate the importance of workers, let us understand some statistics. Today, more than 5,000 infrastructure projects worth over Rs 29,000 crore are underway across Meghalaya. Think about what that means - there are 5,000 sites where men and women pick up their tools and building something that will outlast all of us.
In the last eight years, 2,400 km of new roads have been added while 2,800 running metres of bridges are being constructed. Besides, there are 33 new power substations, 2,200 km of new HT lines, and 151 health sub-centres built. Adding to the statistics, the state government, from 2019 to 2025, has created more than 19,000 jobs in the construction sector, and by 2032, it plans to create an additional 70,000 jobs in the sector.
What about the wages? As per the revised rates in January 2025, every unskilled worker in Meghalaya gets paid Rs 525 per day, which is the highest in the Northeast and the third highest in India. A semi-skilled worker's wages is Rs 565 (highest in the region and fourth highest in India); a skilled workers' wages stands at Rs 605 (highest in the region and fifth highest in India) while a highly-skilled labourer gets Rs 645 as wages.
This high wage floor ensures that the benefits of the state's 10% growth rate are felt directly in the pockets of the labourers. The government has approved the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) for muster roll workers, an initiative that injects an additional Rs 10 crore annually to benefit thousands of muster roll workers across various departments, ensuring their income keeps pace with inflation.
On May 1, four major schemes meant for workers' welfare were launched. Every active registered construction worker who contributed to the Building & Other Construction Workers Welfare Board for at least one year and has worked for 90 days received Rs 5,000 directly into their bank account. There were 11,373 beneficiaries who benefited from this scheme, which was named as the Chief Minister's Labour Income Grant for House Builders and Tradeworkers or CM LIGHT.
Another scheme, which was launched, was ENABLE or "Enhancing Necessary Ability for Better Learning Environment". Under ENABLE, Rs 7.5 crore is being invested in schools so that children of workers study with dignity. The schools have to reserve 5% of seats for BOCW workers' families, and the children will be provided 100% tuition fee waiver.
Under the BUILD scheme or "Boosting and Upgrading Infrastructure for Livelihood and Development", the state government is directing Rs 6 crore into community infrastructure that creates jobs while it is built.
And then there was the launch of the Startup Toolkit Scheme. Under this, the workers will be provided with Rs 8,000 worth of tools to 6,656 trained workers so that skills become livelihoods, and training becomes income.
The workers should also know that the Building & Other Construction Workers Welfare Board provides many social security measures to the workers registered under the board. Some of these include educational scholarship for the children of our beneficiaries, assistance for marriage and pensionary benefits. All these benefits are available to active registered workers and their family members, reinforcing the government's commitment to security across every stage of life.
In addition to the existing measures towards their social security, the Board will pay every premium on behalf of every active registered worker for PMJJBY (Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana), PMSBY (Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana), and PM-SYM (Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan). This includes Rs 2 lakh life insurance cover, Rs 2 lakh accident cover, and a pension of Rs 3,000 per month after attaining the age of 60.
What does all this mean to a worker like Kong Jacinta Thabah? According to her, the transition from a worker to a skilled participant in the state's growth story began with a training programme, which has yielded benefits that have directly and positively impacted her livelihood.
Similarly, Kong Menu Diengdoh was filled with gratitude for the tangible support reaching her household. The Startup Toolkit and assistance under the CM LIGHT scheme will improve her livelihood. For Kong Menu, the impact is multi-generational. She highlighted that the scholarship for children was a vital lifeline for families facing financial challenges and unstable employment.
Kong Banisha Lynrah echoed this sentiment from the perspective of an economically weaker background. The tools will not only help her repair her home, but also carry out work on their own. This practical assistance will reduce her family's expenses and make it easier to sustain their daily life.
These voices are not isolated instances of luck; they are the intended results of a comprehensive governance model that places the worker at the very centre of the state's development map. The story of Meghalaya serves as a powerful testament to what happens when economic momentum is intentionally harnessed for social justice.
The state has moved beyond temporary relief to establish a comprehensive, lifecycle social security system. These schemes and assistance are primarily funded through a 1% labour cess, which has accumulated a welfare fund of approximately Rs 400 crore. Managed by the Meghalaya Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board, this ecosystem is designed to be accessible, with a one-time registration fee of just Rs 10 and a monthly contribution of Rs 30.
It is true that there are unresolved issues which the state is currently grappling with. But as the state moves forward in resolving legacy issues and confronting new problems, we need to ponder upon the vision set by the Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma. According to him, the state requires the addition and training of 50,000 new workers over the next six years, marking a significant opportunity for the state's youth. That is a staggering number for a small state like Meghalaya. Are our youths ready to fill the requirement?
The Chief Minister himself declared that our workers are the "pillars of the state". When the pillars are strong, secure, and respected, the entire structure of society rises with them. The testimonies of Jacinta, Menu, and Banisha are not just stories of individuals; they are the pulse of a state that is giving its workers the dignity and future they deserve.