Construction Workers board meets, discusses past activities and plans ahead

GANGTOK, 30 June: The 17th bi-monthly meeting of the Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board (BOCWWB), Sikkim, was held today under the chairmanship of Labour Minister DD Bhutia who is also the ex-officio chairman of the Welfare Board 

The Board has been constituted for the welfare of registered workers engaged in different projects and establishments and carries out welfare measures for the benefit of such workers from the 1% welfare cess collected in the State, an official press communiqué informs.

As per the guidelines of the Union Ministry of Labour & Employment and directives of the Supreme Court of India, the collected Cess has to be utilized in education and health sector for the construction workers and their families.

The meeting informed that the Board had conducted more than 40 health camps in co-ordination with the Health Department at all major construction sites across the State and has also provided hostel accommodation for children of the registered workers in Gangtok for their higher education. 

The Minister expressed satisfaction with the overall activities of the Welfare Board and suggested that a full-fledged school with complete infrastructure be opened for children of registered workers.

He also stated that the since construction workers were very important for state and nation building, there should be no compromised allowed in the proper welfare of the workers and their families.

He has requested all the workers and manpower agencies to ensure that every worker is registered with the Sikkim Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board and the  Department of Labour.

He also emphasized that even all migrant workers should be registered for the duration that they are engaged in Sikkim and the agency which is bringing them here should also take the responsibility of ensuring that they return.

He also suggested that a guest house be established in Gangtok where workers registered with the Board can stay at minimal rates when they come here for the treatment or other purposes. He instructed that the Inspectors/ Cess collectors perform their duties more diligently.

He further requested the Secretary, Labour Department, to verify whether Cess is being paid by all the construction worksites and follow up the matter strictly as per the provisions of the Act.