For women in informal work, knowing their rights is a step towards greater security. On 24th October 2026, ActionAid Association held an awareness meeting in Nehru Nagar, Titilagarh Municipality, Odisha, to help women informal workers learn about the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) scheme and how to access entitlements. Participants also received BOCW information booklets to help them take the next steps towards accessing support. #InformalWorkers #WomenWorkers #SocialSecurity #Odisha #India

On 25 October 2026, ActionAid Association held social security camps in Binburu and Podabhunmari villages in Jharkhand, helping informal workers navigate social security schemes and take a step towards greater security for themselves and their families. #informalworkers #India

ActionAid Association, in collaboration with Shramik Sahayata Kendra, Keru, organised a two-day Leadership School in the Kali Beri mining area of Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The programme covered workers’ rights, constitutional provisions, workplace challenges, and government social security schemes. Officials from the Department of Social Welfare explained available benefits and helped resolve pension-related issues, enabling workers to understand application procedures, access their entitlements, and strengthen their collective voice. #WorkersRights #SocialSecurity #ActionAidAssociation @sndeep

ActionAid Association held an awareness meeting in Gawalra village, Panipat, Haryana, to help women learn about the VB-G RAM G employment scheme. Participants discussed the scheme’s provision of 125 days of employment, eligibility for work, and how it will be funded. They also explored how to request work under the scheme, building their understanding of available opportunities and ways to access them. #ActionAidAssociation #RuralEmployment #WomenEmpowerment. @sndeep

ActionAid Association, through its Worker Facilitation Centre in Padrauna, organised a Social Security Camp and Scholarship Awareness Campaign in Ramdham Bishunpura slum, Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh. In collaboration with the Hub for Empowerment of Women and the District Legal Services Authority, the programme raised awareness about government welfare schemes, scholarships, labour registration, legal aid, and essential helpline services. The camp witnessed the participation of 39 community members, including 25 women and 14 men, while five workers visited the Worker Facilitation Centre for support. Additionally, a collective meeting was held in Shahpur Khalwa Patti village under Dudahi Block to discuss workers’ concerns and possible solutions. Through these initiatives, ActionAid Association continues to facilitate access to social security benefits and government welfare services for workers and marginalised communities. @sndeep

ActionAid Association organised a Social Security Camp in Jawahar Nagar, Tila No. 6, Rajasthan, witnessing the participation of 138 workers. The camp facilitated access to essential government welfare schemes and services. As an outcome, 52 ABHA and Ayushman Bharat Health Cards were facilitated, 35 Job Cards were prepared along with applications for employment, 21 e-Shram Cards were issued, and 21 Labour Card applications were completed. Additionally, one pension application and 12 Ration Card applications were submitted. Through such initiatives, ActionAid Association continues to support workers in accessing social security benefits, employment opportunities, healthcare services, and government welfare schemes. @sndeep

ActionAid Association organised a Mazdoor Pathshala in Vyara, Tapi district, Gujarat, bringing together 35 youth from Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) across 10 villages. The session identified workplace challenges and helped the youth collectively prepare a Charter of Demands focusing on fair wages, livelihood opportunities, decent working conditions, social security, and improved access to government welfare schemes. #ActionAidAssociation #WorkersRights #TribalYouth @sndeep @psushila92

Migrant worker families visited ActionAid Association’s Workers’ Facilitation Centre (WFC) in Dangapata, Odisha, to learn how village-level migration registers can help track migration, identify workers’ needs, and connect them with welfare schemes. The session also explored safe migration, workers’ entitlements, and how the centre supports families in accessing social security and navigating challenges during migration. #ActionAidAssociation #MigrantWorkers #SafeMigration. @sndeep

ActionAid Association, through the Worker Facilitation Centre, Keru, Rajathan, organised a two-day Leadership School in the Kali Beri mining area, with the participation of 39 workers. The programme focused on workers’ empowerment, collective organisation, constitutional provisions, and access to government social security schemes. Representatives from the Social Welfare Department, Jankidad and Brijesh, shared information about various welfare schemes and helped address pension-related issues. The sessions emphasised the importance of workers’ empowerment, awareness of their entitlements, and collective discussions on workplace challenges. The initiative aimed to strengthen workers’ knowledge, leadership skills, and collective participation in addressing challenges affecting their lives and livelihoods. @sndeep

ActionAid Association organised a social security camp for informal workers in Parayapatti village, Dharmapuri district, Tamilnadu. The camp supported 72 beneficiaries in applying for their children’s educational certificates, other essential documents, and social security benefits. Additionally, youth circle meetings were organised to provide young people with a platform to discuss community issues, share their perspectives, and strengthen their participation in community initiatives and collective action. These efforts aim to improve access to essential services while encouraging youth engagement in community development. @sndeep

ActionAid Association organised a perspective-building workshop in Gram Helpia, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, with 25 women, men and young people from 4 villages. The workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ understanding of community issues, encourage discussions on local challenges and promote collective action to address them. Through such initiatives, ActionAid Association works to build informed, active communities that participate in local development processes. #ActionAidAssociation #CommunityParticipation #UttarakhandNyayYatra @sndeep

Whose Development? Whose Voice? Whose Future? | World Development Information Day We must constantly ask whose needs shape development—and whose voices count. The rights and well-being of the vast majority must be at the centre of every development agenda. When development is left to market forces, wealth translates into power over priorities, advancing the interests of the richest 1 per cent while leaving basic needs unmet. Growth can then deepen inequality instead of securing universal well-being. Development information must make these inequalities visible and enable people to shape the decisions affecting their lives. Progress must be measured by access to food, healthcare, education, housing, decent work and a healthy environment. Development fulfils its purpose when it advances these rights for everyone.@sndeep

United Nations Day, 24 October: Reclaiming the Promise of Peace Let us recall the promise of nations acting together for peace, dignity and justice. The Cold War rivalry and the veto powers of five permanent Security Council members have undermined that vision. The US-led “war on terror”, the Ukraine–Russia conflict and Israel’s devastation of Gaza have further exposed the UN’s inability to restrain powerful states and prevent atrocities. As war, inequality and climate change deepen, an effective UN is more essential than ever. Fulfilling its promise requires democratic renewal: challenging veto power and giving the global majorities of the Global South a decisive voice. The UN must draw its strength from the peoples it exists to serve.@sndeep

Freedom from bonded labour must mean more than rescue. It must mean dignity, meaningful rehabilitation and lasting freedom. ActionAid Association, in collaboration with NCCEBL, inaugurated the Online School on Ending Forced Labour with Justice V. Ramsubramanian, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on 22nd October 2026. The inaugural session brought together lived experience, institutional perspectives and a shared commitment to ending bonded labour. Anita Pradhan shared her liberation narrative, Dipali Sharma delivered a special address, and Sandeep Chachra offered the closing remarks. Nirmal Gorana, Convenor of NCCEBL, moderated the session. In his address, the NHRC Chairperson laid out five commitments for participants to carry forward: 1️⃣ Recognise warning signs, including threats and other indicators of exploitation. 2️⃣ Engage with workers respectfully, protect their confidentiality and remain attentive to their safety. 3️⃣ Build connections and communicate across language barriers, ensuring that migrant workers are heard and understood. 4️⃣ Follow through. Conducting a camp and moving elsewhere is not enough—continue following up on the cases and concerns identified. 5️⃣ Act collectively, working together with coordination and shared purpose to address bonded labour. These commitments will guide us throughout the School, shaping our learning, reflections and collective action. As the Chairperson emphasised, rescue and release are only the beginning. Rehabilitation must secure lasting freedom. @sndeep

ActionAid Association, in partnership with Ekjut Mazdoor Union and relevant government departments, launched the “Kaam Mango Abhiyan” at Baba Ramdev Basti in Jaipur, Rajasthan, under the Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme. The campaign was launched by the Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA). Over the next 10 days, it aims to reach 10 settlements and help more than 1,000 workers access employment and welfare schemes. #ActionAidAssociation #UrbanEmployment #WorkersRights @sndeep