Bill amends 1996 laws, removes age limit for construction workers

It aims to clarify who is covered by the laws, how worker registration works, and how welfare funds are managed and enforced.

Who it concerns: Building and other construction workers, employers (including contractors and individuals), State and Central Governments, and the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Boards.

What the bill does

• Allows the Central Government to set the maximum cost of construction for an 'establishment' via notification, replacing the fixed limit of ten lakhs rupees.
• Removes the age limit of 60 years and the requirement of 90 days of work in the preceding 12 months for a worker to be eligible for registration as a beneficiary.
• Creates a temporary Board consisting of specific government secretaries (Labour, Finance, Planning, Social Welfare) to function for up to one year until a permanent Board is constituted.
• Allows the Central Government to notify the percentage of total expenses that Welfare Boards can spend on administrative costs, replacing the fixed 5% limit.
• Permits the appointment of up to ten Director-Generals of Inspection for specified areas instead of a single Director-General responsible for all of India.
• Requires local authorities or State Governments to pay collected cess proceeds to the Board within 30 days.
• Allows State Governments, in addition to the Central Government, to file complaints in court for offences under the Welfare Cess Act.

Also in the document

• The Bill is an amendment to two existing Acts: the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996, and the Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Cess Act, 1996.
• The changes were proposed based on recommendations from a Task Force set up by the Central Advisory Committee and suggestions from State Governments regarding implementation problems.