K'taka Govt to set up board for construction workers

Bangalore, Aug 8 (UNI) A welfare board to ensure benefits and security to over 14 lakh construction and other building workers will come into being in Karnataka from November one, Labour Minister Iqbal Ansari announced today.

Speaking to newspersons here, he said any worker in the age group of 18-60 would be eligible to get the benefits under the new Building and other construction workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996, enacted by the Centre. These workers could become members of the Board by paying a registration fee of Rs 25 and a monthly contribution of Rs 20 subsequently.

Mr Ansari said the benefits included a monthly pension of Rs 200 after the age of 60 and on completion of five years service, increase of Rs ten for every completed five years of service, disablity pension of Rs 150 per month, loan assistance of Rs 50,000 for purchase of tools, loan assistance of Rs 50,000 for purchase or construction of house and education assistance for children.

He said the State Government had brought in rules to enforce the Act and was planning to extend the benefits of welfare and social security to these workers too.

UNI SR GD TS1529