Maharashtra’s labor department will soon begin registering builders and contractors under the Board of Construction Workers (BOCW) to verify the authenticity of the mandatory 90-day work certificates issued to construction laborers, a senior state official said, as published by The Economic Times.
The initiative follows the state government’s launch of an online registration system for construction workers, which has already received more than 500,000 applications within a week. Additionally, the government has expanded the registration system to the taluka level as per directives from the central government.
“Workers with a 90-day work certificate under BOCW can register with the board to access multiple benefits, including accidental insurance. The registration of developers and contractors will allow authorities to cross-verify the certificates they issue,” the official said.
Currently, 3.5 million construction workers in Maharashtra are eligible for various welfare benefits under the board. To further streamline the process, the state has announced the establishment of 366 ‘Taluka Suvidha Kendras’ across Maharashtra, allowing workers to register at the tehsil level rather than traveling to district offices.
Each center is equipped to handle 150 applications daily, providing workers with greater flexibility in choosing a time and location for verification. The entire process, from registration to benefit distribution, is managed through the Integrated Welfare Board Computer System (IWBMS), replacing the previous district-level registration process.
The labor department aims to register 4 million workers under the initiative. According to officials, physical presence for verification is mandatory, and registrations remain valid for 90 days. Expanding taluka-level centers is expected to simplify the verification process and reduce travel requirements for workers.
Despite these advancements, workers’ representatives argue that obtaining the 90-day certificate remains a hurdle. “There is a need to streamline the issuance of these certificates and ensure they are properly assessed. An online record system should also be implemented,” a representative said.
Developers have been directed to ensure that all construction workers under their projects are registered, enabling them to claim benefits under welfare schemes, particularly in the event of on-site accidents. There are currently 32 welfare schemes available to construction workers under the BOCW, officials said.
At present, Maharashtra has 3.5 million active construction workers registered under BOCW. The state government has set a target of registering 4 million workers under this initiative. The new registration system aims to expand access to benefits and ensure compliance with the Central Act, which mandates physical verification of workers. To facilitate the process, workers can visit nearby Taluka Suvidha Kendras instead of district offices, making registration more accessible.
The initiative also ensures that developers and contractors are accountable for the issuance of 90-day certificates, which are necessary for workers to access welfare benefits. Authorities have emphasized that the system must be transparent and effectively monitored to prevent misuse.
Additionally, the Maharashtra government’s directive requires developers to ensure that all their construction workers are registered, reinforcing labor welfare and safety measures on construction sites.