A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF PROBLEMS FACED BY BUILDING AND OTHER CONSTRUCTION WORKERS IN INDIA
AUTHOR – POORNAMATHI N C & MARISH KUMARAN C M, LLM SCHOLARS AT THE TAMIL NADU DR. AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSITY
BEST CITATION – POORNAMATHI N C & MARISH KUMARAN C M, A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF PROBLEMS FACED BY BUILDING AND OTHER CONSTRUCTION WORKERS IN INDIA, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (1) OF 2025, PG. 615-618, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.
ABSTRACT
The building and construction industry is one of India’s largest economic sectors. However, workers in this field encounter various challenges impacting their health, safety, and overall well-being. These include unsafe working conditions, limited access to essential protective gear, low wages, job insecurity, and restricted access to social security benefits. Many construction workers operate in hazardous environments, leading to health risks and accidents. Additionally, the informal nature of the sector results in a lack of legal protection for a significant portion of the workforce. Other key concerns include inadequate training, worker exploitation, and the absence of a robust regulatory framework to safeguard their rights. This paper explores these issues, investigates their root causes, and suggests potential solutions to enhance working conditions and welfare programs. Through an in-depth analysis, the research aims to highlight the need for policy reforms and improved enforcement of labour laws to protect this crucial workforce.
The Indian construction industry employs nearly 50 million people, making it one of the country’s most significant sources of employment. However, workforce numbers fluctuate depending on government projects and economic trends. Approximately 80-90% of construction workers are engaged in the informal sector, lacking access to structured benefits such as healthcare, insurance, and pensions. Many work as daily wage labourers without contracts or job security. Additionally, fewer than 10% receive formal training or certification, contributing to lower productivity and increased risks of workplace accidents.
KEYWORDS: Building workers, construction sector, BOCW Act, occupational disease