Ministry of Labour & Employment Launches New Portal for Construction Workers
New Delhi, August 21: The Ministry of Labour and Employment has introduced a new Management Information System (MIS) portal for Building and Other Construction Workers (BoCW). This portal aims to help states and union territories finalize draft rules under the four Labour Codes and improve welfare schemes for BoCW.
Launch Event
The portal was launched during the 15th meeting of the BoCW Monitoring Committee, chaired by Sumita Dawra, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour & Employment. The meeting included principal secretaries, secretaries, labour commissioners, and welfare commissioners from various states and UTs.
Portal Features
The new portal will serve as a centralized data management system, helping states and UTs make informed decisions and create better welfare policies for BoCW workers. States and UTs are required to register on the portal and update their details, including fund utilization and worker registration data.
Current Statistics
As of June 30, 2024, around 5.7 crore workers are registered with BoCW Welfare Boards across the country. A cumulative cess of Rs 1.15 lakh crores has been collected, with over Rs 66,000 crores spent on various welfare schemes.
Welfare Initiatives
The Ministry is working to extend central government scheme benefits to BoC workers using the BoCW cess fund. Ayushman Cards for health benefits have been approved for 1.3 crore workers under the PM-JAY scheme. Over 85,000 workers have insurance under the PM-JJBY scheme, and 1.24 lakh workers are covered for disability protection under the PM-SBY scheme. States like Uttar Pradesh, Assam, and Madhya Pradesh are using cess funds to build schools for workers’ children.
Future Plans
The Ministry is urging states and UTs to integrate BoC workers’ data with the e-Shram portal for easier access to various schemes. The Ministry will also hold six regional meetings over the next two months to further discuss labour reforms.
Doubts Revealed
Ministry of Labour & Employment -: This is a part of the Indian government that takes care of jobs, working conditions, and workers’ rights.
Portal -: A portal is a website or online platform where people can access information and services.
Construction Workers -: These are people who build things like houses, roads, and bridges.
Management Information System (MIS) -: This is a system that helps collect, store, and manage information to make better decisions.
Building and Other Construction Workers (BoCW) -: These are workers who are involved in building and construction activities.
States and Union Territories -: India is divided into different regions called states and union territories, each with its own local government.
Labour Codes -: These are laws that set rules for working conditions, wages, and workers’ rights.
Secretary Sumita Dawra -: She is a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Centralize data management -: This means collecting all the information in one place to make it easier to use.
Policy-making -: This is the process of creating rules and laws to help manage a country or organization.
Cess -: This is a type of tax collected for a specific purpose, like helping workers.
Central schemes -: These are programs run by the central government to help people, like providing money or services.