Sector Overview
- Construction industry contributes 9% to India’s GDP, projected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2025.
- Workforce expected to grow to 3 crore by 2030.
- Labour shortages raised as a concern by Larsen & Toubro CMD N. Subrahmanyan.
Relevance : GS 2(Social Issues)
Challenges Faced by Construction Workers
- Fragmented employment:
- Frequent relocations, job insecurity, inconsistent welfare access.
- Legal framework issues:
- BOCW Act, 1996 provides for worker welfare, but implementation is weak.
- ₹70,000 crore construction cess collected, but 75% remains unutilised.
- Barriers to Welfare Access:
- Lack of documentation (ID proof, residence proof, birth certificates).
- Employment certificate (90-day work validation) often denied by employers.
- State-wise variations in verification protocols create confusion.
- Inefficiencies in welfare disbursement:
- Digital infrastructure gaps lead to delays in benefit transfers.
- Seasonal employment disruptions (e.g., heat waves, pollution bans) worsen financial insecurity.
- No inter-State portability—workers lose benefits when relocating.
Proposed Solutions
- Unified National Labour Identification System:
- Similar to One Nation One Ration Card for inter-State benefit portability.
- Linking BOCW registrations with UAN on e-Shram to ensure access across States.
- Digital Public Infrastructure:
- Open-source centralized welfare portal with standard workflows.
- Aadhaar-linked verification to reduce administrative delays.
- Simplifying Documentation Requirements:
- Accepting alternative proofs to ease registration.
- Conducting on-site bulk registrations for large construction projects.
- Skill Development and Workplace Standards:
- Training programs to address labour shortages.
- Ensuring safe and dignified work conditions to improve retention.
