Construction Workers’ Memorandum to Labor Minister, Bihar

THOUSANDS of construction workers demonstrated on 28 Nov in Patna under the banner of Bihar Rajya Nirman Mazdoor Union in response to the call by All India Construction Workers Federation (AICWF). They submitted a memorandum to the labour minister, Bihar citing the fact that the construction sector is the most dynamic and extensive sector in the country and the Cess which is collected for the welfare of workers in this sector is a part of the earnings of the construction workers. They demanded an uniformity in rules and regulations regarding the use of the cess funds in all the states besides many other demands, which are as follows:
 

1. The registration process, benefits, and grants (which should be increased keeping in mind rising prices) for construction workers should be same and equal in all States and it should be recommended to the central government to make an equal and ideal National code of rules in this regard.
2. The handing over Welfare Board funds to private agencies or corporate houses by the central or state governments in the name of benefiting construction workers should be stopped.
3. The 4 Labor Codes should be withdrawn by the central government and the old 44 labor codes should be reinstated.
4. Keep the tripartite form of the Welfare Board intact and give appropriate importance to trade unions.
5. Collection of cess should be effective and should be increased from 1% to 3%. State governments should make provision in their budgets for contribution to the welfare fund and all unorganized workers should be brought under this scheme.
6. Registration process of workers should be made simple, removing existing complexities.
7. Construction workers should be given relief during rainy season.
8. Minimum wages should be declared as Rs 21,000 per month and minimum pension 50%.
9. Workers colonies should be made in cities and allotted to workers and workers in rural areas should be given parchas for Vasgeet land and houses constructed.
10. ESI, PF and gratuity benefits for all construction workers.
11. Strict laws for equal pay to women construction workers and curbing gender discrimination.
12. Guarantee social security for migrant workers.
13. Many people will be deprived of grants if conditions like the following are laid: land receipt and heredity proof for house repair grants; cycle purchase receipt before getting cycle grant; skill development training certificate for tools grant. These complexities should be removed and other alternatives should be found for residence proof.
14. Workers should not have to keep having to come to the Labor Office for filling registration or other forms, revalidation etc. Camps should be held at Blocks/Zones twice a month for completing these procedures. Find simpler alternatives for this or take help from trade unions to find simpler alternatives.
15. Hold Block/Zone level special camps for completion of long-pending registration/revalidation forms on a priority basis.
16. Quick processing and execution of pending application for grants.
17. Family pension should be should be implemented automatically after completion of 60 years of age, without having to apply separately for the same. The worker is not responsible for delay in issuing pension orders. The code of rules contains provision for getting pension on completion of 60 years of age.
18. In the case of husband and wife both being construction workers, the surviving spouse should also be eligible for family pension in addition to his/her own pension. Workers who have accepted Rs 400 pension given by the Block due to delayed processing of their pension application should be given the right to choose the better of the two options.
19. The Welfare Board should constitute an Enquiry Commission to probe into the actions on the ground and inform the Board about the problems and issues. Representatives of trade unions should also be included in this Commission.