Construction workers’ association alleges misuse of workers’ welfare fund, demands assistance for health benefit and scholarships for children

Representatives of the Federation of Karnataka State Construction Workers and Unorganised Workers’ Associations have alleged that the Construction Workers Welfare Board is misusing funds meant for the welfare of workers.

In a press conference in Shivamogga on January 12, Ramesh, president of a construction workers’ association in Chitradurga, alleged that the board is spending the money on unnecessary schemes which have failed to help the targeted group. In the name of a 10-day training programme, the workers were made to attend a class for only two hours, and were provided with a kit comprising tools of sub-standard quality. “The private firm that bagged a tender conducts the training programme for the sake of records. A major part of the fund is being spent on such useless programmes,” he alleged. He also displayed headgear and gloves distributed to the workers as part of the training programme and alleged that they were of inferior quality.

Afsar Pasha of Shivamogga stated that the toolkits provided by the board could not be used by the workers. “Instead, the board should strengthen the schemes that help the workers and their families,” he said.

Mallesh of Ballari said that the health check-up conducted by the board was not useful to the workers. “The private persons earn profits from the scheme. The board should construct a hospital which is exclusively for workers in every district,” he said and urged the government to provide cashless treatment in hospitals to workers’ families.

Shivakumar Gowda of Gangavathi demanded the welfare fund should be utilised to encourage workers’ children to study well. “The scholarship amount has been reduced substantially. The government should increase it and encourage our children to pursue higher education,” he stated.