The Barriers Faced by Construction Workers, Pg7

Context:

• The construction sector contributes 9% to India’s GDP and is expected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2025.
• Around 3 crore workers will be employed in this sector by 2030, but labour shortages remain a key concern.
• Structural issues such as job insecurity, poor working conditions, and lack of access to welfare benefits continue to impact construction labourers.

Challenges Faced by Construction Workers

1. Fragmented Employment and Welfare Access

   • Construction workers, especially migrants, face a fragmented employment landscape marked by frequent relocations, job insecurity, and poor access to welfare benefits.
   • While the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Act, 1996, mandates welfare benefits, ₹70,000 crore meant for worker benefits remains largely unutilized.
   • Only 5.6 crore construction workers are registered with state construction boards, leaving a large section of workers outside welfare access.

2. Complicated Documentation Requirements

   • Access to welfare schemes requires proofs of identity, date of birth, and residence, which is difficult for migrant workers without permanent addresses.
   • Obtaining an employment certificate (validating 90 days of work in a year) is difficult as contractors are often unwilling to provide documentation.
   • State verification processes vary, leading to inconsistent registration and benefits delivery.

3. Lack of Digital Infrastructure and Portability

   • Due to seasonal job disruptions, construction workers struggle with direct benefit transfers, despite legal entitlements.
   • Migrants lose access to benefits when they move across states due to non-interoperability of welfare systems.
   • For instance, workers registered in Haryana lose benefits if they relocate to Delhi.

4. Skill Shortages and Poor Work Conditions

   • 75% of the 1-2% construction cess meant for skilling remains unutilized.
   • The lack of structured skill training leads to low productivity and wage stagnation.
   • Unsafe and undignified work environments affect labour retention and efficiency.

Proposed Solutions

1. Unified Labour Identification System

   • Implement a One Nation One Ration Card-style system for inter-state portability of worker benefits.
   • Link BOCW registrations to e-Shram, ensuring seamless access to welfare schemes across states.

2. Digital Platforms for Welfare Access

   • State governments should adopt open-source digital platforms to improve scheme accessibility.
   • Centralized automated verification via Aadhaar can track real-time welfare disbursement.

3. Simplified Registration Processes

   • Accept alternative documents and relax verification rules to ease welfare registration.
   • Enable bulk registrations through on-site camps, reducing dependence on employer certificates.

4. Investment in Skill Development and Safe Workspaces

   • Medium-term skilling initiatives tailored to industry needs can increase worker productivity.
   • Construction firms should improve workplace safety to boost labour retention.

Mains Mock Question:

"What are the major challenges faced by construction workers in India? Suggest measures to improve their working conditions and welfare access."