Date:09/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/09/stories/2007070961130800.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Law sought for construction workers

Staff Reporter

Use of machinery affecting work prospects
CITU calls for nationwide strike on August 8

KADAPA: A comprehensive legislation should be enacted for the benefit of construction workers, besides implementing welfare schemes and paying equal wages for men and women workers, Andhra Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Union State president Kotam Raju said on Sunday.

Nearly one crore persons, mostly illiterate, are dependent on construction sector although the Government put their figure at 50 lakhs, Mr. Raju said in the union’s Kadapa city mahasabha here.

Demanding that the Government take up recruitment to fill vacancies in various departments, he lamented that children of construction workers, who studied post-graduation had to search for private jobs.

Construction work has come down due to steep rise in prices of cement and steel and hence workers were forced to migrate in search of work or settle down as painters, rod-benders or centring workers, he said.

Use of machinery was also affecting work prospects, Mr. Raju stated. Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy announced health and accident insurance schemes for workers on Sankranthi this year, but initiated no action during the last nine months, the union president alleged.

Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry are implementing Central Construction Workers Act, 1996 and paying ex-gratia to workers, but not so in the State, he lamented. Moreover, they are paying pensions and granting festival advance and marriage allowance, he said.Union’s State general secretary Uma Maheswara Rao demanded allotment of house sites and sanction of houses., insurance and job security.

CITU has called for a nationwide strike on August 8.