NHRC stressed on the improvement of construction workers

The National human right commissioner (NHRC) has asked the state government to ensure the proper Implementation of the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 in the state as a large number of population belong to this unorganized sector are totally deprived of getting the benefit under the act. The NHRC took the step following the request of the Pragatisila Sramik Manch (PSM); a Jharsuguda based social organization working for the welfare of the labour to intervene the matter. 

The organization alleged that government violates Article 15(3), 39 (e) and (f) and Article 45 and 47 of the Constitution, which impose a primary responsibility on the State ensuring that all the needs of workers are met and that their basic rights are fully protected. It also violates Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which provides for the right to live with dignity.

“Due to non-implement of the BOCW act, a large number of workers, engaged in various building and construction works do not get social security in the society. They also deprived of getting health and education facilities available to them under the act”, Rakhyakar Mahapatra, the general secretary of the Pragatisila Sramik Manch of Jharsuguda alleged. While talking on Wednesday, Rakhyakar informed that under the act the workers and families are entitled to get compensation and monetary damages in case of any mishap or accident that leads to their loss of wages.

Rakhyakar informed that the NHRC heard his petition on 29^th November 2010 and pleased direct the state government to ensure the implementation of the act in Odisha as soon as possible. “I representing the construction workers of the state submitted a petition before the NHRC describing the state of affairs of the construction workers in the state owing to the negligent attitude of the state government in the implementation of the act. I hoped state government would take appropriate step in this regard soon”, Rakhyakar said.