The Assam Legislative Assembly was informed on Monday, July 6, 2026, that the state has 1,543,350 registered unemployed persons as of June 30, 2026, alongside a concerning increase in youth migration to other states in search of employment. The Labour Welfare Minister also provided details on the fixed daily wage rates for various categories of workers.
This revelation underscores the persistent challenge of job creation in Assam and highlights the socio-economic pressures driving a significant portion of its young population to seek livelihoods elsewhere. The figures presented reflect the ongoing struggle to absorb the state’s workforce into meaningful employment opportunities.
What was announced
The data was presented during the ongoing Budget Session of the 16th Assam Legislative Assembly. Labour Welfare Minister Rameswar Teli informed the House that as of June 30, 2026, the number of registered unemployed individuals in Assam stood at 1,543,350. The Minister also acknowledged the rising trend of youth migrating to other states due to a lack of local employment opportunities.
Further details from the Home and Political Department revealed the grim realities faced by these migrants. Under the Shraddhanjali Scheme, launched on October 1, 2025, the state government facilitated the return of bodies of 354 workers and students from Assam who died outside the state between its inception and July 1, 2026. These deaths were attributed to various illnesses and road accidents, highlighting the precarious conditions often encountered by those seeking work and education away from home.
The Assembly was also informed that Assam currently has 7,873,658 registered workers. Minister Teli further detailed the fixed daily wage rates for different categories of workers. For those directly employed, unskilled workers are entitled to Rs 405.52, semi-skilled workers to Rs 471.44, skilled workers/clerical staff to Rs 589.34, and highly skilled workers to Rs 758.08. For workers employed through contractors, the daily wages are set at Rs 395.00 for unskilled, Rs 458.00 for semi-skilled, Rs 553.00 for skilled/clerical staff, Rs 585.00 for skilled (non-ITI), and Rs 727.00 for highly skilled workers. The Minister, however, conceded that the Labour Welfare Department currently lacks a specific scheme or programme to provide employment to registered workers within Assam.
Why it matters
The substantial number of registered unemployed persons and the increasing youth migration pose significant challenges for Assam’s socio-economic landscape. The exodus of young, often skilled, individuals represents a “brain drain” that can hinder local innovation and economic development. This migration impacts traditional support structures within families and communities, potentially leading to a decline in local workforce and an erosion of cultural identity.
While remittances from migrant workers can boost rural incomes, the underlying reasons for migration — primarily the scarcity of quality jobs and limited skill development opportunities within the state — remain critical concerns. The data also highlights the vulnerability of migrant workers, as evidenced by the fatalities recorded under the Shraddhanjali Scheme. The fixed daily wage rates, while offering a benchmark, underscore the need for robust employment generation strategies to provide sustainable livelihoods for the vast number of job seekers.
Background
Unemployment has been a persistent issue in Assam, with various reports over the years highlighting the growing number of job seekers. The Economic Survey of Assam 2023-24, released in February 2024, noted a seven-fold surge in fresh educated youths registering in employment exchanges in 2022, with nearly ten lakh new entries compared to 1.4 lakh in 2021. The overall number of educated job seekers stood at 18,05,441 in 2021.
More recently, the Economic Survey of Assam 2025-26, released in February 2026, reported the state’s overall unemployment rate (for those aged 15 and above) at 3.9 percent for 2023-24, an increase from 1.7 percent in 2022-23, and above the national average of 3.2 percent. Urban areas faced higher unemployment at 7.4 percent, with urban women particularly affected at 11.8 percent. The number of registered educated job-seekers reached 21.16 lakh in 2024.
Reasons for youth migration from Assam are multifaceted, including limited employment opportunities, inadequate educational and skill development options locally, climate vulnerability, and the allure of better wages and living conditions in urban centres outside the state. The state’s economy has historically been agrarian, struggling to absorb the increasing number of educated youth into non-farm sectors.
Key details
The Labour Welfare Department’s report to the Assam Legislative Assembly on July 6, 2026, confirmed 1,543,350 registered unemployed persons as of June 30, 2026. This figure is part of a larger pool of 7,873,658 registered workers in the state.
The fixed daily wage rates, as detailed by Labour Welfare Minister Rameswar Teli, are crucial for ensuring fair compensation across various employment categories.
| Worker Category | Daily Wage (Directly Employed) | Daily Wage (Through Contractors) |
|---|---|---|
| Unskilled Workers | Rs 405.52 | Rs 395.00 |
| Semi-Skilled Workers | Rs 471.44 | Rs 458.00 |
| Skilled Workers/Clerical Staff | Rs 589.34 | Rs 553.00 |
| Skilled (Non-ITI) Workers | N/A | Rs 585.00 |
| Highly Skilled Workers | Rs 758.08 | Rs 727.00 |
The state government has implemented several initiatives to address unemployment and promote self-employment. The Swami Vivekananda Assam Youth Empowerment (SVAYEM) Scheme, launched in 2017 and renewed in 2020, provides financial support for income-generating activities in manufacturing, trading, and service sectors, offering Rs 50,000 as seed money to individuals and up to Rs 5 lakh for groups. The Assam Skill Development Mission (ASDM), established in 2015, focuses on capacity building and delivering quality skill training. Additionally, the Atmanirbhar Assam Abhijan and other self-employment initiatives aim to provide financial assistance and support for youth to start small businesses.
What’s next
The Assam government continues to focus on strategies to curb unemployment and reduce youth migration. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently launched the CM-FLIGHT (Chief Minister’s Foreign Language and International Global Human Resource Training) programme in July 2026, aimed at equipping youth with foreign language skills, starting with Japanese, to tap into overseas employment opportunities. The government plans to expand this programme to include other languages like Korean and German.
Industrialisation efforts, such as the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit held in 2025, aim to attract investments and create jobs, with projects like the Tata Group’s semiconductor facility at Jagiroad expected to generate significant employment. The state’s Industrial and Investment Policy also offers incentives for local employment generation. The government has also made commitments to provide a substantial number of government jobs, with Minister Pijush Hazarika stating in April 2026 that the government aims to create approximately 2.5 lakh jobs if re-elected.
The ongoing focus remains on enhancing skill development, promoting entrepreneurship, and attracting industrial investment to create a more robust job market within Assam, thereby reducing the compulsion for youth to migrate.