Bonus for construction workers: Govt in talks with stakeholders

According to a gazette notification, the Labour Department is seeking stakeholders’ opinion and the construction workers’ views too before deciding on going ahead with the bonus.

“Once the new rule is implemented, construction firms would have to provide bonus to workers, especially if more than 10 are employed,” an official said.

The public should send their objection and suggestions if any, to the Labour and Employment Department office in Chennai within two months from the date of gazette publication, which is January 29.

Upon receiving opinions, the government would amend some clauses in the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996, so construction workers are entitled for bonus.

More than 30 lakh such workers are registered with the State construction workers’ welfare board and it is collecting one per cent of real estate project cost from the builders to implement welfare schemes. The government had already announced free food for construction workers at Amma Canteens across TN.