PANAJI
Taking note of widespread non-compliance in the construction sector, the Goa Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board has directed stakeholders to ensure mandatory registration of construction establishments with the government.
In a circular, the Board warned contractors, builders, developers and principal employers across the state against failing to register establishments and construction workers under the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996.
The Board stated that several establishments were allegedly engaging construction workers without mandatory registration and were also failing to enrol eligible workers as beneficiaries, thereby depriving them of welfare benefits guaranteed under the law.
The circular directed all stakeholders involved in building and construction activities in Goa to ensure registration of establishments, enrolment of eligible workers as beneficiaries, and payment of welfare cess in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
The move comes nearly a week after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant expressed concern over the low number of registered construction workers in the state, saying many workers were being deprived of benefits under welfare schemes due to non-registration.
Sawant had pointed out that out of around 1.40 lakh workers and employees registered under various categories, only about 10,000 were construction workers. He had also stated that under the law, any company or contractor employing more than 10 workers is required to obtain mandatory registration.
