Building workers protest in Vijayawada, demand revival of Welfare Board and repeal of Labour Codes

The Building Workers Union (CITU), Central City Committee, staged a protest here on Monday (July 07), urging the government to immediately revive the Welfare Board for construction workers and calling for the repeal of the controversial Labour Codes introduced by the Central government. The protest was part of a broader call to action ahead of the nationwide strike scheduled for July 9.

Addressing the gathering, CITU Central City secretary M. Babu Rao expressed deep concern over the neglect faced by construction workers, many of whom have lost their livelihoods and are struggling to survive. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has failed to address the critical issues faced by workers even after completing a year in office. The government had misled workers by announcing its intention to revoke Memo No. 1214, which was issued by the previous administration and related to construction workers’ welfare schemes, he alleged.

Mr. Babu Rao demanded that the coalition government clarify what obstacles were preventing it from restoring the Welfare Board. “Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu must speak out immediately on the status of the board and welfare schemes, or be prepared to face the wrath of the working class,” he said.

The demands include immediate restoration of the Construction Workers Welfare Board and associated schemes, guaranteed employment for all construction workers, compensation through the Welfare Board for those injured in workplace accidents and allocation of two cents of housing land to every eligible construction worker.