The Ministry of Labour & Employment has directed Labour Welfare Boards in all States and Union Territories to release the cess collected from construction activities of all real estate developers for welfare of construction workers so that the intended purpose of the cess is served to educate the children of workers involved in construction activities.

"Union Ministry of Labour & Employment is in the process of finalizing a blue print, involving host of labour issues for the addressal by the new government in its first three months period," Ministry of Labour & Employment which was presided over by its Additional Secretary Arun Kumar Sinha informed at a meeting of members of PHD Chamber of Commerce and industry in New Delhi on Monday.

Without disclosing the issues, Sinha further stated that the ministry would also highlight labour related issues with their solutions for the new government that it should address on a priority basis in its first year of the office.

The cess deposited by the real estate builders and developers to various labour welfare boards under jurisdictions of States and Union Territories over the years have accumulated to an extent of Rs.11000 crores according to government estimates. However, its distribution has not happened for the targeted group for the intended purpose of opening up schools and hospitals for children of construction workers at a scale initially expected by the government.

Sinha, however, added that there are very few states which have utilized the amount of cess to serve the desired objectives. The Ministry of Labour & Employment has cited the examples of performing states to vast majority of non-performing states, asking them to emulate the performing states and accordingly, distribute the cess amount for the welfare of construction workers, he explained.

In his welcome remarks, Alok B Shriram, Sr. Vice President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that safety and security of women at workplaces especially of construction sites should be observed with utmost sincerity so that industrial relations are very well maintained in all segments of industrial activities including construction activities.

Shriram informed that safety cells have been setup in almost every industry as per government directions to prevent possibilities of sexual harassment of women workers and the directive of the governments in this directions were followed and adhered to in later and spirit by the government.