The Karnataka State Construction Workers Central Union (KSCWCU), an independent trade union representing over 84,800 building and construction workers across the state, will host a state-level convention on December 26 in KP Puttanna Chetty Townhall in Bengaluru. The union intends to urge the state government to pass a resolution in the Assembly demanding the restoration of two key welfare legislations, which were repealed by the Union government with the introduction of new labour codes.
Speaking to the media on Monday, December 23, president of KSCWCU NP Samy said, “In 1985, the union played a pivotal role in drafting a separate bill for the welfare of construction labour, which was presented to the Rajya Sabha with over ten lakh signatures. This led to the passing of two crucial legislations in 1996: The Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, and The Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Cess Act.”
KSCWCU has now voiced concerns over the Union government's decision to repeal these two key welfare acts with the introduction of the new labour codes, “which may threaten the future of welfare boards and the benefits they provide,” according to Samy.
The Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act aims to regulate employment conditions and ensure the welfare of construction workers in India. It sets standards for working hours, wages, safety measures, and the overall conditions of service for workers in the construction industry.
The Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Cess Act, 1996, mandates the collection of a welfare cess from employers in the construction sector, which is used to fund social security benefits for workers. The funds are allocated for health, safety, pension, insurance, housing, education, and skill development initiatives for registered construction workers.
The union has also raised alarms about the registration process under the new E-Shram portal, where workers can register without proper verification, risking their entitlements.
The four codes introduced by the Union government include the Code on Social Security 2020, the Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code 2020, the Industrial Relations Code 2020, and the Code on Wages 2019. Labour laws fall under the Concurrent List of the Constitution, meaning both the Union and states have the authority to create rules. However, in cases of conflict between state and Union laws, Union legislation typically prevails unless the state's law has obtained President’s approval.
The convention will focus on several critical demands, including the restoration of the BOCW Acts 1996, opposition to the transfer of welfare board funds to the E-Shram portal, a significant increase in the pension amount from Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000, the extension of Employee State Insurance (ESI) benefits, and the establishment of separate sectoral boards for unorganised workers.
