Punjab Construction Worker Pension Scheme – The Punjab government today unveiled a programme under which all registered construction workers will be entitled to a pension of Rs 5,000 per year once they reach the age of 60. Read the article below to learn more about the Punjab Construction Worker Pension Scheme.
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The Punjab Construction Worker Pension Scheme is the initiative of the Punjab government. To rationalize the pension amount and enhance coverage, the Punjab government is thinking of changing the pension plan for workers in buildings and other types of construction. The labour department suggests modifying the welfare programme to add three pension tiers based on the length of time that workers were registered with the board. The building and other Construction Workers Welfare Board developed the programme for the Welfare of registered construction workers.
Punjab Construction Worker Pension Scheme Details in Highlights
| Name of the scheme | Punjab Construction Worker Pension Scheme |
| Initiated by | Punjab government |
| Objective | To provide pension to citizen above age 60 years |
| Benefits | Rs 5000 pension to construction workers |
| State | Punjab |
| Official Website | http://bocw.punjab.gov.in/ |
Objectives of Punjab Construction Worker Pension Scheme
The goal is to liberalise the pension plan so that it can cover more building and construction workers. The recommended modifications will be presented to the board at its next meeting. In addition, the plan includes a provision for a family pension in the event that a beneficiary passes away. According to official statistics, only roughly 50% of the total 12 lakh registered workers are actively employed, and the remainder have not renewed their enrollment. There are just 400 pension recipients, which is a very small number.
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Features of Punjab Construction Worker Pension Scheme
The labour department has proposed modifications to the welfare programme run by the Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board for the introduction of three different pension slabs ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 per month for such workers depending on the length of time they have been registered with the board.
When they reach the age of 60, building and construction workers who have been continuously registered with the board for three years will receive a pension of ₹1,000 per month, while those who have been continuously or intermittently registered for at least five years will receive₹1,500 per month. Workers who have been continually registered with the board for more than 10 years are eligible for the third slab of monthly pension, which is worth 2,000 rupees.
Benefits of Punjab Construction Worker Pension Scheme
The Board has decided to provide registered construction employees with pensions at a minimum rate of Rs 5,000 per year taking into account the risks they face on the job and the time period for registration following the completion of 60 years of age.
‘Restrictive’ current policy
Construction workers who had been enrolled for 10 years before the scheme’s introduction in 2014 were eligible for benefits under the pension plan. However, it was changed by the previous government in December 2021 to only apply to “live registered building and construction workers” who had been enrolled with the board continuously for three years at the time of reaching 60 years of age. Additionally, the pension was raised from ₹2,000 to ₹3,000 per month. The current regulation is “restrictive” because so many construction employees work sporadic shifts and fail to renew their registration.
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Registration of employees is a concern
The board administers a number of welfare programmes for construction workers, including ex gratia in the event of death, financial support for skill upgrades, funding for the education of their children, funding for daughter’s marriage, etc. The board is sitting on a cash reserve of ₹1,200 crore, which it collected through a labourcess of 1% of the cost of construction in the state. The registration of employees continues to be the main cause for concern. There is no provision for publicity of any kind under the scheme. To raise awareness and enroll the workers, the labour department has started hosting camps.
Punjab Construction Worker Pension Scheme Application Process
- Open the official website of the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, Punjab.
- The homepage of the website will appear on the screen.
- Now from the homepage, find the online application for the Construction Worker Pension Scheme option.
- A new page will appear on the screen.
- Enter the details in the application form.
- Upload the related documents and click on the submit option.