The state of Maharashtra is struggling to get construction workers to register. Out of an estimated workforce of 70 lakh laborers employed across various construction sites, a mere 14 lakh are officially registered with the Maharashtra Labour Welfare Board. The sluggish pace of registration is primarily due to challenges in meeting registration criteria. This leaves unregistered workers and their families ineligible for essential welfare programs, such as health and accident insurance. Statistics show that accidents involving unregistered workers are alarmingly high on sites, making registration all the more imperative. To address this issue, the labour department is said to be streamlining the registration process and reducing the number of documents required for registration.
A startling revelation has emerged regarding the lack of workers' registration in the construction industry in the state of Maharashtra. Out of a total workforce of 70 lakh laborers employed across various construction sites, a mere 14 lakh are officially registered with the Maharashtra Labour Welfare Board. The dire situation has been attributed to the unavailability of the required documentation, effectively rendering unregistered workers and their families ineligible for numerous welfare programs.
Officials from the labour department expressed their concerns about the issue, noting that registration camps had been conducted in various districts over the past four months. Unfortunately, the workers faced obstacles in meeting the mandatory registration criteria, including obtaining a 90-day work certificate signed by site supervisors or gram sevaks. This lack of registration deprives workers of essential benefits such as health and accident insurance, as well as educational opportunities for their children.
Statistics from the labour department revealed that most accidents at construction sites in the state involve unregistered workers. In the current year alone, around 50 workers have lost their lives in approximately 24 accidents at construction sites. This data is a significant increase from the 2021 figures, which reported 19 fatalities in 14 accidents, and 2022, which recorded 39 casualties in 37 accidents. Among these incidents is the tragic death of 17 people following a crane collapse at a viaduct site on the Samruddhi Mahamarg in Thane district.
While the labour department had previously registered 40 lakh workers, the number has dwindled to a meagre 11-14 lakh due to a lack of registration renewal. Activists have voiced their concerns over various loopholes in the registration process, emphasizing the need for reform.
In response to these challenges, a senior official stated that the department is streamlining the registration process by requiring only three documents: the 90-day work certificate, Aadhaar card, and a photograph of the worker. Additional documents like the ration card and bank account details can be submitted later to access benefits.
Former officials associated with the workers' welfare board stressed the importance of developers submitting workers' data when seeking permission from local authorities. While the registration process has been simplified, some issues persist, such as delays in obtaining the 90-day work certificate, which has proven challenging for many workers.
As the state grapples with the high risk and fatalities associated with unregistered construction workers, it is clear that addressing these issues in the registration process is essential to protect the well-being of laborers in the construction industry.
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