Tamil Nadu Unveils Major Welfare Push for Construction Workers

Bringing major relief for the construction workers across the state, as many as five new schemes have been launched by the Labour Welfare and Skill Development Department to ensure the overall welfare of the construction workers including both registered and unregistered.

Labour Welfare Minister C.V. Ganesan said on Wednesday said 32 Government Vocational Training Centres will be upgraded at a cost of ₹67.64 crore. The centres would conduct skill development programs for around 50,000 construction workers registered with the Tamil Nadu Construction Workers Welfare Board. It will provide training in key trades rod bending, carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, welding, painting, AC repair, and glass cutting. The budget for training is ₹45.21 lakh while trainees will draw a daily wage of ₹800.

Fifty hostels attached to these vocational centres will be refurbished at a cost of ₹22.98 crore to accommodate students coming from far away regions. The government will also spend ₹20.25 crore to provide basic facilities at labour waiting places, improving the facilities for workers waiting for recruitment.

In a move to make life easier for ageing labourers, the State government will open two old-age homes and care centres with a capacity for 50 residents each in Chennai for retired construction workers over 60 years who do not have family support.

Compensation for the families of workers who die from occupational accidents has also been raised. The pay for registered and unregistered workers has been enhanced from ₹5 lakh to ₹8 lakh.

If you are a worker when it comes to education, the children of a national worker will get additional benefits. Those in nursing or catering courses will also receive an extra ₹3,000 per annum, while general graduation and higher studies will get ₹1,000 more. PhD students will get ₹15,000 now per year.

Also, in a bid to give boost self-employment opportunities for women and transwomen 1,000 women and transwomen members registered under the Tamil Nadu Drivers and Automobile Workshop Workers Welfare Board would be given ₹1 lakh subsidy to buy autorickshaws.

These sweeping initiatives also reflect the government’s efforts to concern a large part of the unorganized workers of the state through skill, security and support.