300k labourers on file, Delhi aims for 1million by the year-end

Workers do not need to go to the labour office to get registered. The entire process is online, said the Delhi government spokesperson.

The Delhi Building and Construction Workers Welfare Board registered at least 200,000 new workers and labourers in the last six months, and has set a target of one million registrations by next year, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said on Monday, adding that the state’s efforts to disburse financial aid to the city’s workers resulted in the spike in sign-ups.

The Delhi government estimates there are at least 1.5 million construction and labour workers in the Capital. (Arvind Yadav/ Hindustan Times)

“The Delhi government has set a target to register all the 1 million construction workers in Delhi by next year,” he said.

However, with the government facing difficulties in disbursing one-time financial assistance of ₹5,000 to registered workers due to incomplete bank details, the administration has started a camp from July 12 to 17 to correct the account information of construction workers.

These camps will be held at the labour offices in Ashok Vihar, Jhilmil Colony, and Pushp Vihar.

“The Delhi government is fully committed to the betterment of labourers. The goal of these camps is to update the data of all the construction workers so that the assistance provided by the state reaches all the construction workers in time,” said Sisodia, who is also Delhi’s labour minister.

“Due to all these crucial reforms, the number of registered construction workers has increased from about 100,000 in December to over 300,000 today (Monday),” he added.

The Delhi government estimates there are at least 1.5 million construction and labour workers in the Capital.

Till June 23, the Delhi government disbursed ₹5,000 each to 217,039 construction workers as Covid relief disbursement this year. In addition, the government last month announced a relief package of ₹10,000 to workers found to have been worst hit by the pandemic induced lockdown.

Meanwhile, the board has started an online verification system for workers.

“Workers do not need to go to the labour office to get their registration done now. The entire process is online. Online verification of workers will also be done through live photo capturing and online payment. This will make sure that workers will not have to leave their work and stand in long lines at offices. They will be able to register themselves at any time according to their convenience,” said a government spokesperson.

“With these new reforms, workers can now make all their claims online on the e-district portal,” he said.