Building on a study tour to Tamil Nadu in December 2025, a 34-member multi-stakeholder delegation from Nepal and Sri Lanka visited Himachal Pradesh, India, from 5 to 9 October 2026. The visit focused on learning from the state’s Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board and identifying practical approaches to strengthening social protection for construction workers in their respective countries, where the sector largely operates in the informal economy. The delegation included construction-sector trade union leaders, government officials, social security experts and employer representatives, alongside senior trade union representatives from Bihar and the former Chairperson of the Tamil Nadu BOCW Board.

Hosted by the BWI affiliate, the All Himachal PWD-IPH & Contractual Workers Union (AHPWDIPHCWU), and coordinated by its senior leadership, including Sanjay Saini, Deep Dhiman and Prem Lal Bhatia, the programme featured discussions with workers, trade union representatives, labour officials and welfare board representatives. The delegation also visited the Dhaulasidh Hydroelectric Project in Hamirpur district, where participants met BOCW-registered workers, many of whom were beneficiaries of various welfare schemes. Meetings were also held in Palampur and Bilaspur, including a state-level meeting attended by Rajesh Dharmani, Minister for Technical Education, Vocational and Industrial Training; Hardeep Singh Bawa, former Chairperson of the State BOCW Welfare Board and current Member of the Legislative Assembly; and Nardev Singh Kanwar, Chairperson of the Himachal Pradesh BOCW Welfare Board.

Board representatives outlined benefits available to registered workers and their families, including health assistance, children’s scholarships, maternity benefits, pensions, disability support, death compensation and financial assistance for housing. Trade union representatives also raised implementation concerns, particularly the denial of a role for trade unions in certifying workers for registration with the Board. The exchanges provided insights into Himachal Pradesh’s approaches to worker registration, welfare benefit delivery and institutional coordination, while highlighting the role of welfare boards, public institutions and trade unions in improving workers’ access to social protection.

Widely covered by print and visual media, the exchange enabled delegates from Nepal and Sri Lanka to identify lessons on registration, benefit delivery and worker mobilisation that could be adapted to their respective national contexts. The visit reaffirmed the value of regional learning and cooperation in advancing social protection for construction workers. BWI and DGB-BW reiterated their commitment to prioritising social protection and continuing to support affiliates and partners across South Asia in developing inclusive and effective social protection mechanisms for construction workers.