SC issues notices to the Centre on welfare of construction workers

New Delhi, July 28 (UNI) The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Centre, all the states and Union Territories on a Public Interest Litigation seeking directions to the respondents to immediately implement Building and Other Construction Worker (regulations of employment service) Act, 1996 and the Building and Other Construction Worker Welfare Cess Act, 1996 to ensure social security and welfare of construction workers in the country.

According to the petitioner, National Campaign Committee for Central Legislation on Construction Labour (NCC-CL), the construction industry is the second largest industry in India employing about two crore workers on a daily bases in its different activities.

The estimated number of construction workers in India is about 3.1 crores and it is a highly accident-prone industry.

A bench comprising justices K G Balakrishnan and D K Jain issued notices, after hearing counsel for the petitioner, who contended that the death rate in the construction industry due to accidents is about 160-250 deaths per 1000, which is the highest when compared to any other industry. Therefore, their was an urgent need for adequate investment in order to improve the working conditions namely job security, safety, proper working conditions, medical care and skilled development schemes.

The main reason for such measures to be adopted is that a large number of construction workers are migratory, socially backward and vertual illiterates with very low bargaining power.

The informal sector constitutes 90 per cent of the total employment in India and the highly labour intensive nature also makes construction one of the largest sources of employment.

The petition has also sought directions to the respondents to constitute expert committees to advice on matters relating to framing of rules by the appropriate government under the Building and Other Construction Worker (regulations of employment service) Act, 1996.

The petition has also sought directions to the respondents to forthwith ensure that all building and construction sites abide by all the rules and regulations relating to the health, safety and welfare of the workers.

UNI AKS/SC SHB AT SSC1358