Construction Workers’ Protest in Pune Over lapses in social security benefits
On September 24, a significant protest was organised in Pune by Shramik Hakk Andolan, a registered labour union associated with New Socialist Alternative, to highlight the persistent and unresolved problems faced by construction workers. The protest took place in front of the office of the Upper Labour Commissioner, where hundred odd workers throughout the city gathered to voice their grievances.
The workers drew attention to the systemic failures that have left their applications to social security schemes pending for years. According to the union, mistakes and negligence at multiple levels – from Taluka and District Labour Facilitation Centres to inspection officers in the labour offices – have created bureaucratic delays that directly impact the livelihood of poor and vulnerable workers. The situation has been worsened by the arbitrary and frequent changes introduced by the ‘Building and other Construction Workers Welfare Board (BOCW) in its rules and registration procedures. Instead of simplifying the process, these constant modifications have created confusion and uncertainty.
Adding to the frustration is the fact that the online registration portal has remained non-functional for the past three months. This closure has effectively halted new registrations and left ongoing applications in limbo. Moreover, the process for submitting clarifications in case of minor errors has been withdrawn, resulting in outright rejection of applications without any chance for correction. Workers complained that it compels them to take repeated leaves from daily-wage work and visit government offices multiple times simply to get their rightful applications approved. The union condemned this treatment as a cruel and inhumane mockery of construction workers who survive on daily wages but are denied easy access to welfare schemes that are meant to support them.
During the protest, Assistant Labour Commissioner Mr. Pawar came forward to meet the demonstrators. He assured them that a revised working procedure addressing these problems would be prepared and implemented, and that a follow-up meeting would be held within 15 days to finalise corrective measures. He also promised that pending cases would be investigated and appropriate action would be taken to resolve them.
Union leaders, however, adopted a firm stance. Shramik Hakk Andolan General Secretary Sagar Savita Dhanraj declared that if the new process is not implemented within a month, the agitation would be intensified further. Supporting this demand, Bandhkam Majur Sabha (another trade union) representative Azim Nadaf insisted that the Board must take immediate cognisance of the workers’ long-pending demands and act without delay. A noteworthy feature of the gathering was the strong presence of women construction workers, who participated in good numbers and raised their voices against the injustices they face on a daily basis.
The protest in Pune thus highlighted the growing frustration of construction workers with bureaucratic inefficiency and administrative indifference. While the assurances given by the Labour Commissioner’s office have temporarily calmed the situation, the workers’ organisations have made it clear that unless tangible changes are seen within the next month, they will not hesitate to escalate their struggle. This development underscores the urgent need for streamlined processes, transparent systems, and sensitive governance to ensure that labourers – who form the backbone of the construction sector – can access their rightful welfare benefits without harassment or delay.
Shramik Hakk Andolan
