AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON CIVIL CONSTRUCTION WORKERS LABOUR WELFARE FACILITIES IN CHENNAI

The National sample survey of 1987-88 showed an estimated range of 8.5 million people indulged in building and construction work in India. During those days, building and construction workers were recognized as unorganized labour segment in India. A comprehensive need for central legislation for regulating the safety, health, welfare and other conditions of service of these workers was felt. These Workers face inherent risk to the life and bodily injuries including loss of vital parts. The work is of casual nature and temporary and thereby there is no continuity in relationship between employer and employee. Uncertain working hours, lack of basic amenities and inadequacy of welfare facilities are the major drawbacks in and around this segment of labour. Under the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of employment and conditions of services) Act 1996, the State Government has to ensure that the intended benefits and advantages reach the construction workers at the earliest and in full measure, for which there are Welfare Boards set up in every State to monitor the benefits of safety, health and welfare measures of these workers. Construction industry has been broadly classified into- Building works, involving projects like houses, offices, schools, factories, shops, hospitals, power plants, stations etc., and Civil engineering works, involving projects like roads, tunnels, bridges, dams, canals, docks etc The Government of India has made an enactment in 1979, in the name of “Inter-state Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act 1979”. The act covers only for inter-state migrant workers.