Assessment of Board of Construction Workers (BoCW) and Issues of Migrant Construction Workers in Accessing to Social Protection Schemes in Jharkhand

The project aimed to comprehensively assess the challenges faced by construction workers in accessing social protection schemes as mandated by the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Act through a study conducted in Jharkhand.

Key Highlights:

  • Feedback was gathered from 88 individuals, including stakeholders, construction workers, and field staff, to understand barriers and identify actionable solutions.
  • The study employed Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), In-Depth Interviews, and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) to uncover systemic gaps and worker experiences.

Methods of Inquiry for the study:

  • Key Informant Interviews (KIIs): Conducted with 20 stakeholders, including government officials, contractors, and CSOs.
  • In-Depth Interviews: Engaged district coordinators and field staff from Jan Sahas to dive deeper into ground-level challenges.
  • Focus Group Discussions: Held six FGDs with construction workers, both those with and without BOCW cards, to identify their unique challenges.

Key Preliminary Findings:

  • Awareness Gap: Many workers are unaware of the benefits of the BOCW card.
  • Limited Outreach: Programmatic initiatives have not adequately reached a significant portion of construction workers.
  • Dependency on Intermediaries: The shift to online systems have increased worker reliance on intermediaries, leading to exploitative practices like charging high commissions.
  • Role of CSOs: Civil society organizations play a critical role in building awareness and facilitating access to schemes.

Framework for Action:

To address these challenges, the report recommends:

  • Intensive Awareness Drives to educate workers on BOCW schemes.
  • Streamlining Processes for easier registration and application.
  • Transparency and Accountability in system operations.
  • Worker-Centric Approaches that prioritize their needs and inputs.
  • Improved Collaboration and Coordination among stakeholders.
  • Technology Access Support to help workers navigate online systems.
  • Data-Driven Decision-Making to monitor and optimize program impact.

Final Report Included:

  • A detailed overview of the BOCW Act and Welfare Board.
  • Comprehensive study methodology and stakeholder insights.
  • Key findings and actionable recommendations, supported by case studies and a proposed framework for action.

This project by CAPL delivered with the support of Jan Sahas Foundation is a testament to our commitment to empowering construction workers and improving their access to essential social protection schemes, ensuring their rights and welfare are prioritized.