The Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Kumar Choudhary, today called for a comprehensive revamp of the J&K Building & Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (JKBOCWWB) to strengthen and expand welfare benefits for construction workers and their families across Jammu & Kashmir.
Srinagar, February 17: The Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Kumar Choudhary, today called for a comprehensive revamp of the J&K Building & Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (JKBOCWWB) to strengthen and expand welfare benefits for construction workers and their families across Jammu & Kashmir.
Chairing a high-level review meeting at the Civil Secretariat, Jammu, the Dy CM emphasized the need to ensure seamless implementation of labour codes and welfare schemes so that maximum eligible beneficiaries are covered under the Board’s ambit. He stressed that the benefits of various welfare initiatives must effectively reach workers as well as their children, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare.
Highlighting the importance of reform, he directed officials to undertake structural and procedural improvements in the functioning of the Board to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability.
He underlined simplifying application procedures, widening outreach mechanisms, and ensuring that no eligible worker is left out from availing the benefits.
At the outset, Choudhary reviewed the implementation status of the four Labour Codes — Code on Wages, 2019, Industrial Relations Code, 2020, Social Security Code, 2020, and OSH & Working Conditions Code, 2020 — and stressed their transparent and impactful enforcement on the ground.
The Dy CM underscored the need for massive IEC campaigns and capacity building initiatives to sensitize workers about their rights and entitlements. He stressed empowering workers through direct benefit mechanisms and targeted delivery of schemes.
Focusing on the future of workers’ children, he instructed the department to promote digital learning initiatives and upskilling programmes to prepare them for competitive opportunities. He directed officials to ensure maximum coverage of students and facilitate them with digital tools, including tablets and laptops, to support their education.
During the meeting, Choudhary also reviewed the constitution of J&K Advisory Board under Code on Wages, J&K Occupational Safety & Health Advisory Board, J&K Unorganised Social Security Board, and J&K Building & Other Construction Welfare Board.
He also called for adopting a broader and more inclusive definition of “construction worker” so as to bring all vulnerable and unorganized sector labourers within the fold of welfare coverage.
Stressing on maximum beneficiaries under various assistance programmes in J&K, the Deputy Chief Minister instructed officers to ensure amicable resolution of workers' issues and prompt service delivery through all concerned offices.
He said that the Government is committed to socio-economic upliftment of the workers and other marginalized sections of the society, and benefits of welfare schemes reach to the end-beneficiaries.
The meeting was attended by the Commissioner Secretary, Science and Technology; Secretary, Labour and Employment Department; CEO/Secretary, JKBOCWWB; Labour Commissioner; Special Secretary, Labour and Employment; Director Finance, Labour and Employment; Under Secretary Labour and other concerned officers.