The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, in coordination with the Chouldari Gram Panchayat, will conduct an awareness-cum-registration camp for construction workers on November 29. The initiative is aimed at expanding access to welfare schemes designed for labourers engaged in the construction sector and ensuring that eligible workers are formally registered to receive benefits.
The camp, scheduled to begin at 10 am at the Chouldari Gram Panchayat premises, seeks to bring workers from surrounding areas together for an interactive session on the various provisions offered by the Welfare Board. Officials organising the programme stated that the event is structured to combine awareness building with immediate registration so that beneficiaries do not face delays in completing formalities or claiming entitlements.
Construction workers in the Islands often operate in scattered worksites, with many of them engaged in short-term or informal arrangements. Due to this mobility, a large number remain outside the formal welfare net despite being eligible for multiple schemes. The forthcoming camp intends to reduce this gap by guiding workers through the registration process and clarifying the documentation required for enrolment. On-the-spot assistance will be available for filling forms and understanding the procedures that follow.
The awareness component of the camp will highlight the social security benefits offered by the Board. These include support related to health, education, insurance, maternity assistance, financial aid during emergencies and other schemes designed to improve the welfare of construction labourers and their families. Organisers noted that many workers are either unaware of the full extent of these benefits or do not know how to initiate the application process, prompting the need for periodic outreach programmes.
Officials expect participation from workers employed with contractors, small construction units, individual households and ongoing public infrastructure projects. The Board has been working to ensure wider coverage of its schemes, recognising that construction workers face occupational risks, irregular income patterns and vulnerability to financial setbacks caused by injuries or sudden health issues. Awareness camps are therefore considered an essential tool to bridge the information gap and promote early enrolment.
The event also aims to familiarise workers with their rights under the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, which outlines safety standards, workplace requirements and welfare entitlements. By encouraging workers to register, officials hope to strengthen the link between beneficiaries and the welfare mechanisms available to them at the district and state levels.
The choice of Chouldari as the venue reflects the concentration of construction activity in and around the area, where many workers live or travel daily for employment.
The Board has encouraged workers to attend the programme even if they are unsure about their eligibility, as staff members will verify documents on site and provide clarity on requirements. Those who complete registration during the camp will be able to initiate the process of availing benefits such as financial assistance for children’s education, medical support during hospitalisation, and aid for families during accidents or other distress situations.
The upcoming camp also serves as part of the Board’s strategy to expand outreach across different regions of South Andaman and rural pockets where the construction workforce is active. With multiple public and private construction projects underway, officials expect continued demand for regular enrolment drives to ensure that workers remain protected under welfare schemes.
Construction workers have been encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity, as proper registration not only unlocks access to welfare support but also strengthens institutional records that help the administration plan worker-centric policies. With the camp approaching, organisers are preparing to facilitate smooth registration and provide workers with a clear understanding of the long-term benefits available to them under the Welfare Board.
