CM Yogi Adityanath’s historic tenure sets new benchmarks of trust and transformation for workers

Lucknow : As the longest-serving Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath has combined continuity with impact—delivering policy stability and transformative results in labour welfare, social justice, and women’s empowerment. Under his leadership, the state’s proactive and inclusive approach to worker welfare has become a model for change. Data from the Labour Department and the BOCW Welfare Board shows that the government isn’t just announcing schemes—it is implementing them at the grassroots, ensuring direct benefits in areas like education, maternity, marriage, medical aid, and housing.

Among the most impactful policy shifts in recent years, the transformation in the lives of workers stands out prominently. According to the Uttar Pradesh Labour and Employment Department, in the financial year 2024–25 alone, 5,57,567 workers benefitted from various Board schemes, with a total expenditure of Rs 710.96 crore. So far in 2025–26, 10,221 workers have received benefits amounting to Rs 42.46 crore.

Women empowerment has been a core focus of these efforts. Through targeted initiatives under the BOCW Board, the status of women in Uttar Pradesh has improved significantly since 2017. The recently released Women Economic Empowerment Index highlights this shift: women’s participation in the labour sector has risen from 14% in 2017 to 36% in 2024. To build on this progress, the Chief Minister has directed an expansion of women-centric facilities under all major welfare schemes.

Under the Kanya Vivah Sahayata Yojana, the government has provided Rs 440 crore for the marriages of 84,891 daughters of labourers. Similarly, through the Matratva Shishu Balika Madad Yojana, Rs 364 crore has been disbursed to support 1,09,841 women. These figures underscore the government’s recognition of women not just as workers, but as the foundation of a stronger and more resilient society.

In terms of registration, 48,822 new workers have been enrolled in 2025–26 so far, including 25,720 women. In 2024–25, 1,86,380 workers were registered, with 89,441 being women. Since the inception of the BOCW Board, over 1.84 crore workers have been registered—more than 63 lakh of them women.

The scope of welfare has also expanded through increasing formalisation. A total of 4,28,657 establishments are now registered under the BOCW Act, 1996. As of 2025–26, 7,572 new establishments have been registered, while 47,473 were added in 2024–25. Cess collection has also surged, enabling robust funding for welfare schemes—so far, Rs 193.74 crore in 2025–26 and Rs 1,722 crore in 2024–25, contributing to a cumulative total of Rs 12,584.26 crore.

Continuing his reform momentum in his second term, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is ensuring both continuity and innovation in the delivery of welfare services. Several new schemes have been announced to strengthen support systems for workers further. Among them is the Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Shramik Suvidha Kendra, to be established in 17 municipal bodies and Noida–Greater Noida, offering facilities like toilets, scheme registration, information access, and digital services. Additionally, the Vishwakarma Shramik Sarai Yojana will provide safe accommodations, including hostels, toilets, and restrooms, for migrant construction workers in urban areas.