Centre accelerates digital push for building worker schemes across states

The Ministry of Labour and Employment is rolling out digital platforms to modernize the administration of welfare and employment services for construction workers across the country. Nine states and Union Territories have begun launching digital Labour Chowks as part of a broader push to digitize BOCW operations, officials said.

The initiative aims to improve accessibility of government schemes for building and construction workers while enhancing the efficiency of welfare disbursement mechanisms. Digital Labour Chowks will serve as centralized platforms where workers can register, access employment opportunities, apply for welfare benefits, and track their applications in real time.

The Centre is currently reviewing progress on employment, welfare and cess collection initiatives under the BOCW scheme, which is funded through a dedicated cess on construction projects. The digitization effort is expected to reduce administrative delays, minimize leakage of funds, and provide greater transparency in the collection and distribution of welfare benefits.

Official sources indicated that the digital platform will eventually be scaled across more states, with the aim of creating a seamless, pan-India system for BOCW management. The move aligns with the government's broader digital India agenda and is designed to bring unorganized construction workers within the ambit of formal welfare systems.