Ruing the poor collection and utilisation of the Building and Other Construction Workers' (BOCW) welfare cess, the Centre today urged states to "work effectively" in this regard in the interest of the workers.
"Collection and utilisation of BOCW welfare cess by the states needs substantial improvement. An amount of Rs 14,099 crore has been collected as cess, out of which only Rs 2,382 crore has been spent on the welfare of construction workers.
"Some states have achieved a high level of utilisation of funds, like Kerela (93 per cent), Chhattisgarh (54 per cent), Tamil Nadu (43 per cent) and Madhya Pradesh (40 per cent), but the other states are lagging behind.
"They need to work effectively in this regard to ensure the welfare of workers," Labour Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said after chairing the Central Advisory Committee meeting for BOCW Welfare.
He added that Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have done commendable work in registering workers under the scheme. Tomar called for improved cess collection, registration and implementation of schemes for the welfare of construction workers.
The meeting discussed proposed amendments to the Building and Other Construction Workers' Act, 1996, and Rules.
The committee also decided to set up a sub-panel to study in detail the recommendations for amendment of the Acts and Rules and suggest means for better implementation of schemes for the welfare of construction workers.
It was also decided to institute a system of awards for State Welfare Boards which have done excellent work.
The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Labour, Vishnu Deo Sai, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot, MP Prahlad Singh Patel and the representatives of the Central Trade Unions and employers' organisations in the construction sector.
The committee also decided that all construction workers should be mandatorily enrolled in the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna (RSBY) and be supported in opening Savings Bank Accounts. It was also decided that workers' annual health check-ups should be mandatorily conducted.
