Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Punjab to register 10 lakh construction workers free of cost; CM Mann announces major welfare push
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, June 6, 2026: In a major relief for construction workers, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday announced a statewide campaign to register and revalidate 10 lakh construction workers free of cost, with the state government bearing the entire registration expense.
Chairing a review meeting of the Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board, Mann said the initiative aims to ensure that every eligible labourer receives social security, welfare benefits and skill development opportunities. The Punjab Government will spend nearly ₹15 crore to waive registration and renewal fees during the special enrolment drive.
"The welfare board was created to improve the socio-economic condition of construction workers, but long delays and procedural hurdles have prevented many labourers from accessing benefits," Mann said, adding that only 2.21 lakh workers are currently registered despite rapid urbanisation and large-scale construction activity across the state.
To boost enrolment, the government will organise special registration and revalidation camps in villages and urban areas. Evening camps will also be held to accommodate workers who return home after work hours. Mann said labourers often avoid registration because of the ₹145 fee, which will now be waived during the campaign.
The Chief Minister highlighted reforms undertaken by the government to improve service delivery. He said the processing time for labour welfare schemes has been reduced from 203 days in 2022-23 to just 73 days, enabling workers to access benefits more quickly.
Mann also directed officials to improve facilities at labour chowks by providing shelters and drinking water facilities for workers waiting for employment opportunities.
Skill Training for 50,000 Workers
In a bid to enhance employability and earnings, the Chief Minister instructed the Board to share details of 50,000 active registered workers with the Punjab Skill Development Mission for specialised training.
The training will focus on high-demand skills such as masonry, bar bending, shuttering carpentry, scaffolding, electrical work, surveying, construction painting, fabrication, quality assurance and road construction.
Women Labourers to Benefit from Welfare Schemes
Mann also directed officials to ensure that women construction workers are covered under the state's Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna and other welfare programmes.
"The benefits of government schemes must reach every eligible worker, especially women labourers who often remain outside the welfare net," he said.
Labour Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian and senior officials were present during the meeting.