The Delhi Government has constituted the Delhi Building and other Construction Workers Welfare Board, on October 24, 2002, under the Chairmanship of Delhi's Labour Minister, Mr Deep Chand Bandhu, to take care of the well being of the construction workers. Any construction project costing more than Rs Ten lakh and engaging more than 10 construction workers will have to contribute one percent of the total cost to the board. The Board will function under "The Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Cess Act, 1996, of Government of India.

Mr Subhash Bhatnagar of Nirman Mazdoor Panchayat says, "This act was enforced on August 19,1996 due to our rigorous struggle of 16 years. This Board was constituted, only after we filed a public interest litigation in the High Court". This board will provide welfare measures and benefits to the workers registered with the board.

According to the Labour Minister, "Any worker who has completed 18 years of age but not sixty and has been engaged in the building or any other construction work for not less than 90 days would be eligible for the registration". Workers registering themselves in this board will have to pay a monthly sum of Rs 20 that will ensure these benefits:

(1) Pension of Rs 150 to Rs 450 after attaining 60 years of age and Rs 100 as family pension.

(2) Financial assistance of Rs50000, to the families or the nominee, of the workers in case of death due to accident during work and Rs 15000 in case of death

(3) For cremation Rs1000

(4) Financial assistance of Rs 5000 to purchase tools.

(5) Medical allowance of Rs 1000.

(6) Financial assistance for marriage.

(7) Housing loan

(8) Payment of insurance premium.

(9) Educational benefits

(10) Disability pension and other benefits etc.

The Minister said that it is compulsory for an employer to inform the board before starting any construction work, at least 30 days in advance. This should include complete details, the nature of the work, number of workers likely to be employed, approximate duration of the work and the arrangements for storage of the explosives. He added that, "those found flouting the Act will be liable to three months' imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10000".

Around five lakh workers in the city is expected to benefit from this scheme.

"After the Act came into force, it took 6 years for the government to constitute the Board. Had the Board been constituted on time a huge sum could have been collected for the welfare of the construction labour. Therefore, a levy of two percent should be applied to compensate the loss suffered in the last six years, " says Mr Subhash Bhatnagar

The constitution of the board was a major demand from almost all the trade unions. But when it came into existence, most of the central trade unions were excluded from it. Secretary of AITUC, Mr S N Thakur says, "this scheme is going to prove a non starter because the constitution of the board is itself dis-proportionate, except AITUC and INTUC, there is no representation from other trade union organisations. Nirman Mazdoor Panchayat, an NGO has also been given representation in the Board."

Subash Bhtnagar, who is a member in the board says, "Unfortunately, there is no women representation in the Board. Among the five-member representing construction workers, four of them are contractors".

"Workers are required to obtain a certificate regarding number of days worked, from their employers and it is difficult to obtain such certificate, so this scheme will only function on paper," believes S N Thakkur. "On the other hand in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Pondichery, the trade unions are authorised to give the certificate of past work," he adds.