Workers Empowered through Schemes of Welfare Board

Chamba, Oct. 2 : The Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board has emerged as a pivotal platform for the economic empowerment of laborers in the state. Under the guidance of the Himachal Pradesh government, various welfare schemes have been launched, significantly benefiting workers and their dependents.

In the past year alone, 667 registered laborers in the Chamba district have received financial assistance totaling approximately ₹2.91 crore through 13 different welfare schemes. The effective implementation of these programs is overseen by the District Labour Welfare Officer and the Board’s sub-office in Dalhousie.

Currently, there are a total of 34,811 registered workers in Chamba, with 33,633 under the District Labour Officer’s jurisdiction and 1,178 registered at the Dalhousie sub-office. Since April 1, 2023, a notable 683 new laborers have registered, demonstrating the ongoing outreach and effectiveness of the Board’s initiatives.

Key Financial Assistance Breakdown
During this reporting period, significant financial aid was disbursed as follows:
– Marriage Assistance: 395 workers received ₹2.01 crore for marriage-related expenses.
– Education Aid: ₹56.05 lakh was allocated to 202 laborers for educational purposes.
– Death and Funeral Support: 8 workers received ₹19.6 lakh to assist with expenses related to death and funeral arrangements.
– Maternity and Paternity Benefits: 57 laborers benefited from maternity/paternity assistance, amounting to ₹12.16 lakh.
– Medical Assistance: 3 workers received ₹1.31 lakh in medical support.
– Hostel Assistance for Children: ₹32,000 was provided to 2 workers for children’s hostel needs.

In total, 22,080 workers have been beneficiaries of various welfare schemes since the inception of the Board.

Additional Benefits Offered
The welfare initiatives have also included:
– Educational Support: 1,464 workers have been aided for educational expenses.
– Marriage Financial Aid: 1,331 workers received assistance for weddings.
– Maternal and Paternal Leave: Financial support extended to 123 for maternity and 31 for paternity.
– Death and Funeral Assistance: Support provided to 35 laborers.
– Kerosene Aid: Financial help extended to 175 workers for kerosene.
– Bicycles and Medical Support: 58 laborers received bicycles, while 26 got medical assistance.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board also offered cash assistance of ₹2,000 to 13,993 workers, reflecting its commitment to support the labor community during crises.

Eligibility and Registration Process
To register with the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, workers must have completed at least 90 days of work in construction-related activities within the last 12 months and be aged between 18 and 60. The registration process requires submission of:
– A copy of the Aadhaar card
– Bank passbook
– Ration card or family register
– Age proof (e.g., birth certificate, school leaving certificate, or any government-issued ID)

Workers can register through the District Labour Welfare Officer’s office or online at the Himachal Pradesh Labour Board’s official website: [bocw.hp.nic.in](https://bocw.hp.nic.in).

Through these comprehensive schemes, the Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board is not only enhancing the financial stability of laborers but also paving the way for their overall socio-economic development.