Kolkata, 25 November 2025 :
A State-Level Workers’ Conference focusing on labour reforms, worker-centric initiatives and the national vision of “Vikshit Bharat 2047” was organised in Kolkata today under the joint auspices of the Bharatiya Janata Mazdoor Manch (BJMM) and the Vikshit Bharat Sankalp Sansthan, West Bengal. The conference took place at the D.R.M. Building, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy Institute, Sealdah.
Dr. Mahesh Sharma, All-India President of BJMM and Vikshit Bharat Sankalp Sansthan, attended as the keynote speaker and addressed the pivotal contribution of India’s workforce in building a developed nation.
Dignitaries in Attendance
The conference was graced by several prominent leaders and public representatives, including:
- Shri Rahul Sinha, Former National Secretary, BJP
- Shri Arjun Singh, Former MP, Barrackpore
- Shri Tapan Roy, Former MLA, Baranagar
- Shri Subrata Thakur, MLA, Gaighata
- Shri Vishal Lama, MLA, Kalchini
- Shri Sajal Ghosh, Councillor, Kolkata Municipal Corporation
- Shri Pashupati Mondal, State President, BJMM West Bengal
- Shri Amar Singh, Working President, BJMM West Bengal
Major Labour Issues Discussed
Speakers highlighted urgent and recurring challenges faced by organised and unorganised workers across West Bengal, including:
- Exploitation of contractual workers
- Lack of fair wages, timely payments and appointment letters
- Workplace safety gaps
- Insufficient maternity protection and healthcare for women workers
- Sector-specific demands of MSME, beedi/benson, mining, plantation, textile and audio-visual workers
These concerns align with provisions of India’s labour reform framework on minimum wages, appointment letters, social security, women’s safety, medical check-ups, bonus and equal pay.
Special Address by Dr. Mahesh Sharma — Vision 2047
In his keynote lecture titled “Role of Workers in Building a Developed India – Vision 2047”, Dr. Sharma emphasised that workers — including organised and unorganised labour, MSME employees, women and youth workers, contractual labourers and gig/platform workers — constitute the backbone of India’s economic, cultural and technological progress. He announced that the Vikshit Bharat Sankalp Mela, scheduled from 24 October to 2 November 2026 in Jaipur, will serve as a landmark platform for national development, skills, industry–commerce partnerships and global cooperation. The Eight Pillars of National Development to be showcased at the Mela include:
Education, Employment, Industry–Commerce, Culture–Tourism, Health–Ayurveda, Start-up & Investment, Agriculture–Rural Development, and Environment–Sustainability.
Benefits Expected for Workers
The Mela is expected to unlock major opportunities for workers nationwide, including:
- Over 10,000 employment prospects
- Dedicated skill-training and development zones
- Direct interface between workers and MSME/industry sectors
- Worker-friendly policies and best practices
- Stronger worker–industry–government collaboration
Demands and Initiatives Announced
Shri Pashupati Mondal, BJMM West Bengal State President, placed key demands, including:
- Full implementation of labour codes across sectors
- Safety and equal opportunities for women workers
- Affordable healthcare and ESI support
- Prevention of contractual labour exploitation
- Establishment of skill-upgradation centres
- Specialised safety schemes for MSME workers
Shri Amar Singh, Working President, outlined BJMM’s roadmap for Vikshit Bharat 2047, focusing on a skill-driven economy, global export-ready labour force, green energy, sustainable development and rural transformation.
He also announced BJMM’s key initiatives for 2025–26, including:
- Labour-rights awareness campaigns
- Women Workers’ Safety Forum
- Formation of Gig & Platform Worker Units
- Health camps and legal aid centres
- Skill & Job Mapping Drive
- A statewide “Vikas Yatra” Workers’ Rally
BJMM’s Core Message
“Workers’ Strength is India’s Strength.”
