Cabinet clears changes in laws to improve conditions of construction workers

The cabinet today approved amendments to Acts relating to employment of construction workers, which gives more teeth to laws dealing with welfare of construction workers while easing some restrictions for availing benefits.

A meeting of the union cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today cleared the amendments to the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 and Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Cess Act, 1996.

Amendments to the Acts will help streamline the process of registration of the construction workers. The state welfare bards will be able to consolidate their finances and incur expenditure on administrative and other purpose for smooth functioning of the board. It would facilitate speedy implementation of these Acts by the central and state governments.

The Building and Other Construction Workers Related Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2012 is expected to be introduced in the winter session of Parliament, an official statement said today.

The proposed amendment does away with the prerequisite condition of engagement for 90 days to get a construction worker registered for enjoying benefits.

Besides, for workers engaged in building and construction work after attaining the age of 60 years, this upper age limit criteria is also proposed to be removed for enjoying benefits.