Latest news with #BuildingandOtherConstructionWorkers
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Maharashtra labour department to crack down on agents fleecing construction workers in BOCW registration
PUNE : The labour department has said it would take strict action against agents and middlemen who illegally charge construction workers exorbitant fees for registration under the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board, despite the official fee being just Re 1. The move came following reports of rampant exploitation at tehsil offices across the state, including a recent case from Junnar taluka in Pune district, where agents demanded up to Rs 1,000 per registration. "Any complaints of overcharging will be dealt with strictly. If a written complaint is filed, we will register an FIR," the board's CEO, Vivek Kumbhar, told TOI. "We are aware of the Junnar case, but a formal complaint is awaited. Workers are encouraged to report such malpractices directly to the board." Kumbhar emphasised the need for awareness. "Workers must know they can register directly and independently. The process is simple, digital, and costs just Re 1," he said. He also urged developers to proactively register their labourers. Several workers confirmed to TOI that middlemen were present at nearly every registration point. Sunita Kale, a daily wage worker from Pune, said: "The agent said the process was too complicated and charged me Rs 800. Later, I realised I could have done it online. It's heartbreaking — every rupee matters to us, but people are fleecing us here." Another worker said, "I urgently needed the registration and paid Rs 1,000, unaware that the actual fee was only Re 1. We feel cheated." Labour rights activists pointed out that without registration, workers are cut off from govt welfare, and this process is their only route to legal protection and dignity. To increase accessibility and reduce exploitation, the Labour Board introduced an online registration system in Feb 2025 confirming that the fee would remain Re 1. Despite this, unscrupulous agents continue to exploit workers unfamiliar with the process. To counter this, the state established 358 Taluka Suvidha Kendras where workers can book slots for biometric verification and document validation. Each centre processes around 150 applications daily, easing the load on district-level offices. Workers can register at developer-run camps, tehsil offices, or online via the Integrated Welfare Board Computer System (IWBMS). However, in-person verification remains mandatory. "The tehsil offices were started so that it would be easy for workers to come in for verification. The only thing they would require is the mandatory 90-day work certificate, Aadhaar card and bank details, if any," an official said. Since the online facility began, the board has seen a steady flow of registrations. In total, it has 38 lakh active registrations, with an additional 16 lakh applications pending renewal. The surge has, however, led to crowding and loss of daily wages for many workers visiting registration centres. To manage this, the labour department rolled out new efficiency measures, whereby district-assigned late dates would be revised for quicker processing at the taluka level. In districts housing headquarters, additional taluka buildings will serve as worker facilitation centres while staffing has been ramped up, with three data-entry operators and two specialists per district facilitation centre. "All facilities now operate under CCTV surveillance for transparency. A coordination cell at the board level monitors pending applications," said an official.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Labour department to crack down on agents fleecing construction workers in BOCW registration in Maharashtra
Pune: The labour department has said it would take strict action against agents and middlemen who illegally charge construction workers exorbitant fees for registration under the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board, despite the official fee being just Re 1. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The move came following reports of rampant exploitation at tehsil offices across the state, including a recent case from Junnar taluka in Pune district, where agents demanded up to Rs 1,000 per registration. "Any complaints of overcharging will be dealt with strictly. If a written complaint is filed, we will register an FIR," the board's CEO, Vivek Kumbhar, told TOI. "We are aware of the Junnar case, but a formal complaint is awaited. Workers are encouraged to report such malpractices directly to the board." Kumbhar emphasised the need for awareness. "Workers must know they can register directly and independently. The process is simple, digital, and costs just Re 1," he said. He also urged developers to proactively register their labourers. Several workers confirmed to TOI that middlemen were present at nearly every registration point. Sunita Kale, a daily wage worker from Pune, said: "The agent said the process was too complicated and charged me Rs 800. Later, I realised I could have done it online. It's heartbreaking — every rupee matters to us, but people are fleecing us here." Another worker said, "I urgently needed the registration and paid Rs 1,000, unaware that the actual fee was only Re 1. We feel cheated." Labour rights activists pointed out that without registration, workers are cut off from govt welfare, and this process is their only route to legal protection and dignity. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now To increase accessibility and reduce exploitation, the Labour Board introduced an online registration system in Feb 2025 confirming that the fee would remain Re 1. Despite this, unscrupulous agents continue to exploit workers unfamiliar with the process. To counter this, the state established 358 Taluka Suvidha Kendras where workers can book slots for biometric verification and document validation. Each centre processes around 150 applications daily, easing the load on district-level offices. W orkers can register at developer-run camps, tehsil offices, or online via the Integrated Welfare Board Computer System (IWBMS). However, in-person verification remains mandatory. "The tehsil offices were started so that it would be easy for workers to come in for verification. The only thing they would require is the mandatory 90-day work certificate, Aadhaar card and bank details, if any," an official said. Since the online facility began, the board has seen a steady flow of registrations. In total, it has 38 lakh active registrations, with an additional 16 lakh applications pending renewal. The surge has, however, led to crowding and loss of daily wages for many workers visiting registration centres. To manage this, the labour department rolled out new efficiency measures, whereby district-assigned late dates would be revised for quicker processing at the taluka level. In districts housing headquarters, additional taluka buildings will serve as worker facilitation centres while staffing has been ramped up, with three data-entry operators and two specialists per district facilitation centre. "All facilities now operate under CCTV surveillance for transparency. A coordination cell at the board level monitors pending applications," said an official.
Mint
02-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
EPFOs scheme more beneficial for construction workers: Regional provident fund commissioner
New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) Retirement fund body EPFO's provident fund scheme under the EPF Act provides better protection to construction workers compared to the benefits available under the framework of building and other construction workers (BOCW), a regional provident fund commissioner has ruled, clarifying ambiguities between the two legislations. The clarification order by regional provident fund commissioner (RPFC), Kochi Uttam Prakash, which would have significant implications for labour welfare across India, came after the Kerala High Court issued a directive to resolve a long-standing conflict between two major national legislations governing the social security of construction workforce. While disposing of a writ petition filed by Veegaland Homes Pvt. Ltd., a real estate developer, the court directed the RPFC, Kochi, to determine which law provides more beneficial coverage for construction workers -- the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 (EPF Act) or the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Act, 1996. After evaluating the two welfare frameworks, the RPFC concluded that the EPF scheme provides superior protection for construction workers compared to the BOCW framework. The order outlined key advantages including lifetime pension coverage under the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS), substantial death and disability benefits via the Employees' Deposit-Linked Insurance Scheme (EDLI), portability of benefits across states and employers structured, long-term savings with higher returns and a technology driven access to services and grievance redressal. In contrast, BOCW welfare boards, despite collecting substantial welfare cess, have challenges of inefficiency, low coverage, and underutilisation of funds and poor access to registration by design, the RPFC order said. Workers frequently struggle to access even basic entitlements under this scheme, it noted. The petitioner in the Kerala High Court had argued that employers were being subjected to an unfair dual compliance burden under both central and state welfare regimes. While the EPF Act is administered nationally by the EPFO, the BOCW Act is enforced by state-level welfare boards, often with considerable variation in benefit delivery across states. As India continues to rely on its informal workforce to build its infrastructure and cities, the Kerala High Court-led resolution could serve as a cornerstone for a more inclusive, effective, and future-ready labour protection framework, opined an expert. By prioritising structured, portable, and enforceable benefits, the RPFC order reaffirms the constitutional promise of social justice and sets a powerful precedent for integrating the informal workforce into the mainstream of social security, the expert added. First Published: 2 May 2025, 04:03 PM IST
Hans India
01-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Labour Day: Welfare of workers top priority of Sikkim govt, says CM Tamang
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Thursday said that the state government has given the welfare of labourers top priority and a series of steps were taken in that direction in the last few years. CM Tamang said, 'Our government has always placed the welfare of labourers at the forefront of its development agenda. In recognition of their vital role, we have taken several landmark steps to enhance their dignity, well-being, and livelihood. 'One of the key measures is the revision of monthly wages to Rs. 15,000, thereby ensuring a more secure and respectable standard of living for our workers. 'We are also providing improved housing and other essential facilities, along with expanded health benefits to ensure the holistic welfare of labourers and their families.' According to him, the establishment of a 100-bedded ESIC Hospital at Mamring, Rangpo, marks a significant milestone in providing accessible and quality healthcare to the working community. 'To strengthen the administrative machinery and labour welfare systems, a cadre review is being undertaken to ensure effective and adequate governance. 'Technological interventions like the launch of an online registration app and a dedicated Labour Clearance Certificate Portal are aimed at streamlining procedures and increasing transparency,' he added. CM Tamang mentioned that financial assistance is being extended to workers under the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) scheme. Furthermore, the mass registration of workers under the Sikkim Labour Registration Act, 2021, is being actively pursued to safeguard their rights and entitlements. 'Through awareness programmes focussing on labour rights, employment conditions, and fair labour practices, we aim to foster a safe, equitable, and progressive working environment. We are also committed to promoting a positive employer-employee relationship, which is essential for sustainable development and social harmony,' he said. The CM also said that these initiatives stand as a testament to the Sikkim government's unwavering commitment to improving labour welfare, simplifying administrative processes, and promoting inclusive public welfare. CM Tamang also extended his greetings on International Labour Day that is being celebrated across the world on Thursday. He said, 'I extend my warm greetings and heartiest appreciation to all the hardworking labourers whose tireless efforts form the backbone of our society and economy. 'This day serves as a tribute to the hardworking individuals whose dedication and sweat have shaped societies and economies across the globe.' 'Similarly, it serves as a solemn reminder of the immense contribution made by the labour force in building a prosperous and progressive Sikkim,' he said.
The Hindu
24-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
EPF scheme is most suited for construction workers, says Provident Fund Commissioner
The scheme under the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act of 1952 (EPF) is more beneficial for construction workers than the scheme under the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Act enacted by the State government, according to a recent order passed by the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner-I, Kochi. The order has been passed in response to a recent directive of the Kerala High Court to look into whether the scheme under the BOCW Act is more beneficial than the EPF scheme for construction workers and pass appropriate orders in this regard. In his order, Uttam Prakash, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner-I noted that the EPF, through its contributory, account-linked, and tech-enabled framework, offers a far more resilient, scalable, and sustainable approach to worker's protection and interests. Lifetime security The early enrolment advantage, portability across employers and States, digitally verifiable contributions, and proportionate, need-responsive benefits mark it out as a system designed not just for immediate aid but for lifetime security and beyond. The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation's (EPFO) pension and insurance arms, coupled with its structured governance and unified enforcement mechanisms, further strengthen its capacity to adapt to the evolving nature of employment, including transitions from informal to formal sectors. The order added that based on the principles of adaptability, transparency and empowerment, the EPFO framework stands at a firmer ground that can protect the dignity of labour and ensure a retirement with dignity. Short-term The order said that while the BOCW admirably targets the immediate welfare needs of one of the most vulnerable segments of India's workforce, it is increasingly evident that its benefits, though essential, are short-term, uniform, and administratively constrained. Despite its noble intent, the lack of transparency, inconsistent disbursal, and procedural rigidity diminishes its effectiveness, especially in dynamic labour markets like Kerala. The commissioner ordered that Veegaland Developers Private Limited, which has been covered by the EPF scheme since 2007, to continue with the EPF scheme, instead of the BOCW.
