Question : Wage Compensation to Workers under RPL

(a) whether the Government proposes to increase the hourly rate given to construction workers under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) since the workers withdraw from the scheme half-way in search of better wages;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government also proposes to compensate the workers for 100 per cent duration of skill gap training and for more than the designated four hours at the pre and final assessment stage;

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the number of workers enrolled under RPL having bank accounts;

(e) whether there have been any delays in payment of wage compensation by the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board to the training providers and by the training providers to the workers; and

(f) if so, the reasons therefor and the corrective action taken by the Government thereon?

(a) & (b) The Scheme Recognition of Prior learning (RPL) was framed in consultation with developer, contractor, training provider and Govt. agencies implementing Civil Works and was started as a pilot in two states. Under the scheme the competencies of workers registered with Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare (BOCWs) Board are assessed at the construction site itself. Based on the outcome of pre assessment 50 % of skill gap training is provided in the class room and remaining 50% at the site itself to avoid hampering of the regular work. Rates for the wage compensation for the workers attending pre assessment, skill gap training in the class room and final assessment was decided in consultation with the developers, contractors and govt. agencies in Sept. 2014. Since the rates for wage compensation have been decided in Sept 2014 and only few states have started implementing the scheme, therefore, it will not be desirable to revise the rates frequently.

(c ) & (d) Since the workers are getting wages from the contractor for the 50 % of skill gap training provided on the construction site, therefore, there is no question of compensating 100% duration of skill gap training.

(e) to (f) Initially there was delay in releasing reimbursement claims including wage compensation as the scheme was at nascent stage. Now BOCWs have streamlined their procedure for reimbursement of claims of training providers and assessing bodies.