To ease the flow of benefits to the fast-expanding construction workforce, the Cabinet on Thursday approved certain amendments to the two existing laws.

According to one amendment, the pre-requisite condition of engagement for 90 days to get registered for availing the benefits is proposed to be done away with.

Also, the Government proposes to remove the upper age criteria of 60 years for workers to avail themselves of the benefits.

According to a report by the Standing Committee on Labour, there are an estimated six crore construction workers in India, but only 75,49,222 were registered till September 2011.

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 would facilitate speedy implementation of these Acts by the Central and the State Governments, an official statement said.

The amendments also seek to empower State Governments to file complaints for any contravention of provisions.

The new The Building and Other Construction Workers Related Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2012 is expected to be introduced in the Winter Session of Parliament.

CESS COLLECTION

As per the proposed amendments, there will be a prescribed a time limit of 30 days for the collecting authorities to deposit cess to the State building and other construction workers’ welfare board.

A one per cent cess is levied on the cost of construction incurred by employers to create a fund for workers in case of accidents, old age pension, loans medical expenses etc.

Another amendment seeks to empower the Centre to specify the maximum cost of construction in place of the present limit of Rs 10 lakh.

At present, workers can derive benefits in establishment where the cost of construction is over Rs 10 lakh.

aditi.n@thehindu.co.in

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