Bombay High Court restores welfare benefits for construction workers
ECONOMY & POLICY

Bombay High Court restores welfare benefits for construction workers

The Bombay High Court has ordered the Maharashtra Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board to resume essential welfare services for construction workers, services that were suspended due to the Model Code of Conduct for upcoming state elections. This ruling came after a petition from construction workers' unions argued that the suspension of welfare benefits unjustly denied workers critical support unrelated to election activities.

In October 2023, the Welfare Board had issued a circular halting registration, renewal, and benefit distribution to workers, in line with the Code of Conduct aimed at preventing new policy actions that might influence voters. This suspension affected vital benefits, including health, maternity support, education allowances, and utility kits. Representing the petitioners, advocate Sudha Bharadwaj contended that these welfare services are statutory rights under the Building and Other Construction Workers Act, 1996, meant to protect unorganised labourers, and their suspension deprived workers of necessary protections.

The Welfare Board, represented by counsel Akshay Shinde, defended the suspension, explaining it was a precautionary measure to avoid any electoral influence. However, the court, led by justices Arif S. Doctor and Somasekhar Sundaresan, found that the Model Code of Conduct does not require halting pre-existing statutory benefits and is intended to prevent only new policy introductions during elections.

The court ruled that suspending these welfare services was beyond the Code's scope, ordering the Board to immediately reinstate registration, renewals, and benefit distribution, with the online portal accessible within 24 hours. It also directed that these actions proceed without political associations, maintaining the impartiality of the election process while ensuring workers' rights are preserved.

(HT)

The Bombay High Court has ordered the Maharashtra Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board to resume essential welfare services for construction workers, services that were suspended due to the Model Code of Conduct for upcoming state elections. This ruling came after a petition from construction workers' unions argued that the suspension of welfare benefits unjustly denied workers critical support unrelated to election activities. In October 2023, the Welfare Board had issued a circular halting registration, renewal, and benefit distribution to workers, in line with the Code of Conduct aimed at preventing new policy actions that might influence voters. This suspension affected vital benefits, including health, maternity support, education allowances, and utility kits. Representing the petitioners, advocate Sudha Bharadwaj contended that these welfare services are statutory rights under the Building and Other Construction Workers Act, 1996, meant to protect unorganised labourers, and their suspension deprived workers of necessary protections. The Welfare Board, represented by counsel Akshay Shinde, defended the suspension, explaining it was a precautionary measure to avoid any electoral influence. However, the court, led by justices Arif S. Doctor and Somasekhar Sundaresan, found that the Model Code of Conduct does not require halting pre-existing statutory benefits and is intended to prevent only new policy introductions during elections. The court ruled that suspending these welfare services was beyond the Code's scope, ordering the Board to immediately reinstate registration, renewals, and benefit distribution, with the online portal accessible within 24 hours. It also directed that these actions proceed without political associations, maintaining the impartiality of the election process while ensuring workers' rights are preserved. (HT)

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Infrastructure Opportunity Outlook by IMPACCT.Info

India’s infrastructure pipeline is witnessing dynamic activity across stages — from immediate bidding to future planning. IMPACCT segments these into three categories: Immediate, 3–6 Month, and Future Opportunities, enabling businesses to identify, prepare, and participate in high-value tenders and projects across sectors...To read the full article Click Here..

Next Story
Real Estate

Serene Communities, Prathima Group Invest Rs 4 billion in Hyderabad

Serene Communities by Columbia Pacific, India’s largest senior living operator, has partnered with Prathima Group to develop two senior living projects in Hyderabad, marking its entry into Telangana. The collaboration represents an investment of Rs 4 billion, combining Serene’s international expertise with Prathima’s local development experience. The first project, Serene BILVANI One, launched in Shankarpally, is Hyderabad’s first premium senior living community. Designed for independent and active ageing, it features senior-friendly architecture, barrier-free design, and wellness..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India remains our most important market

Foundamental, the world’s leading venture capital platform focused on the project economy, has launched its third fund to strengthen its presence in India, APAC, and other global markets. Led by Berlin-based Managing Partners Shubhankar Bhattacharya and Patric Hellermann, Fund III aims for a final close by the end of 2025. In an exclusive interaction with CW, Bhattacharya shares insights on the fund’s mandate, India’s role in their strategy, and the opportunities they see in the construction-tech and project-based sectors. Can you briefly explain Fund III’s mandate and how In..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?