(a) the number of construction workers in the country as on date;
(b) whether deaths at construction sites are increasing in the
country;
(c) the details of guidelines issued to private and public
construction majors on the safety and security of construction
labourers at construction sites; and
(d) the various social security schemes implemented for the
construction labourers in the country?
MINISTER OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT(SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE)
(a): The data regarding number of construction workers in the
country as on date is not available. However as per estimate of
National Sample Survey (2004-05), about 25.71 million building and
other construction workers are estimated in India.
(b): As per the information available in respect of construction
sites falling under the central sphere, during the last three years
the number of deaths at construction sites do not show increasing trend.
(c): The Government has enacted the Building and Other Construction
Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996
to regulate the employment and conditions of service of building and
other construction workers and to provide for their safety, health and
welfare measures. The Act has to be implemented by State and Centre
Government depending upon appropriate Government as per Section 2(a)
of the Act. The Central Government has framed Building and Other
Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service)
Central Rules 1998 which contains provisions and specifications for
adequate safety and health of workers employed in construction industry.
(d): Under the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of
Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996, every State has to
constitute a Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. The
functions of the Board include providing welfare and social security
measure such as immediate assistance to a beneficiary in case of accident,
payment of pension to the beneficiaries who have completed the age of 60
years, loan and advances for construction of a house, paying amount in
connection with premia for Group Insurance Scheme etc.
The Government has also enacted the Unorganized Workers’
Social Security Act, 2008 for the social security and welfare of
unorganized workers which includes building and other construction workers.