New Delhi | Special Correspondent: Arun Sharma

The Delhi government’s decision to launch a 120-hour skill training programme for construction workers is not merely a policy announcement, but a strong reflection of the government’s consistent, bold and forward-looking commitment towards labour empowerment, senior labour expert and Supreme Court–Delhi High Court advocate Munish Kumar Gaur has said.


Describing the initiative as constitutionally inspired and socially transformative, Gaur stated that the programme represents a rare and meaningful effort to translate the principles of social justice from paper to practice, particularly for workers in the unorganised sector.


According to Munish Kumar Gaur, the Delhi government’s recent labour-centric decisions signal a clear shift from conventional welfare-oriented approaches towards structural and long-term reforms.


“The government is no longer viewing workers merely as beneficiaries of subsidies or relief, but as skilled, self-reliant citizens entitled to dignity, stability and economic security,” he observed.


Government Giving Practical Shape to Constitutional Values
Highlighting the constitutional foundation of the policy, Munish Kumar Gaur noted that the spirit of Articles 21, 23, 38, 39 and 43 of the Indian Constitution—which emphasise dignity of life, freedom from exploitation, social and economic justice, and livelihood security—is visibly reflected in Delhi’s current labour welfare framework.


“With over three decades of administrative experience, I can say with confidence that bringing skill development, employment stability and social security together for unorganised workers has been extremely rare,” Gaur said.


“This policy courageously integrates all three pillars into a single, coherent framework.”


₹35 Per Hour Training Wage: A Sensitive and Practical Measure
Munish Kumar Gaur particularly welcomed the provision of ₹35 per hour wage during the training period, calling it one of the strongest and most humane features of the scheme.


“Traditionally, skill training programmes fail because workers cannot afford to lose daily wages while learning. This provision ensures that training does not come at the cost of family livelihood,” he explained, adding that it reflects the government’s ground-level understanding and policy maturity.


From Employability to Social Stability
According to Gaur, the structured 120-hour training, followed by assessment and certification, will significantly enhance workers’ employability, while also enabling access to better wages, safer workplaces and greater awareness of legal rights.


From a legal perspective, he believes the initiative will also contribute to reducing labour disputes, promoting industrial harmony and strengthening social stability in the long run.


Clear Policy Direction under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta
Munish Kumar Gaur said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the Delhi government has sent out a clear message:
workers are not merely a labour force, but partners in development and pillars of nation-building.
If the target of training over 1.20 lakh construction workers within the next three years is achieved with transparency, quality control and effective implementation, Gaur asserted that the programme could emerge as a replicable national model for other states.


A Decisive Shift from Welfare to Empowerment
Summing up his assessment, Munish Kumar Gaur remarked that Delhi’s labour policies are now firmly moving from welfare to empowerment.


“If implemented with continuous monitoring and integrity, this initiative will mark a milestone in Delhi’s labour history and bring real, sustainable and positive improvements in the living standards of workers and their families,”