BOCW REGISTRATION

The BOCW Act is a law created to protect the rights and working conditions of construction workers in India. Its purpose is to regulate their employment and ensure their welfare by setting up boards and registering workers.

In 1996, the Indian Parliament passed the Building and Other Construction Workers’ (BOCW) Act with the intention of controlling the employment and working conditions of construction workers and providing social welfare measures to them. To comply with the act, all establishments that employ 10 or more construction workers are required to register under it.

Enrolling in the BOCW Act involves registering laborers who are involved in building and construction activities with the appropriate state government agency. Such registration is mandatory for those who work on projects that are expected to last for over 90 days.

To register, one must fill out a specified application form and provide necessary documentation, including identification, proof of address, and proof of employment. Once registration is finished, the worker will receive a registration certificate that will last for one year and can be renewed each year.

Under the BOCW Act, employers are obligated to donate a portion of their construction expenditures to welfare boards set up by the act. These funds are employed to support registered workers, offering them healthcare and safety benefits, education, and training.

TYPES OF BOCW REGISTRATION:

The BOCW Act categorizes registration into two types.

All establishments that have at least ten building and construction workers are required by law to register.
The registration of workers is not mandatory and is aimed at workers who are employed in the construction and building sector as individuals.

BENEFITS OF BOCW ACT REGISTRATION:

Registration according to the BOCW Act grants various advantages to employees working in the organization. A few notable benefits include:

The BOCW Act offers various benefits to building and construction workers in terms of their welfare. These benefits comprise of health and safety precautions, training and education schemes, and provisions for amenities such as clean drinking water, bathroom facilities, and dining facilities.
The Building and Other Construction Workers Act includes various social security provisions such as retirement savings, pension, compensation, and life coverage for those working in building and construction.
The BOCW Act offers monetary aid to workers engaged in building and construction. The financial assistance comprises medical support, benefits for pregnant women, and compensation for disabilities.
The BOCW Act allows for the availability of housing and educational services for the offspring of construction workers.

PROCESS OF BOCW ACT REGISTRATION:

Registering with the BOCW Act is an important obligation for employers who engage in hiring construction and building laborers. It is crucial to follow through with the registration process in order to adhere to legal requirements and to ensure that the workers hired by the organization receive proper benefits.

The registration procedure prescribed by the BOCW Act comprises of a series of steps, which are outlined below:

To begin the registration process, the initial step is to complete the application form. This form can either be collected in-person from the State Welfare Board or downloaded from the government website of the specific state. Providing various important information, the application form needs to include the name, address, number of employees, and other relevant details about the organization.

Second Step: Application Form Submission. The application form, which has to be filled out completely, needs to be handed in along with all necessary documents to the State Welfare Board office. The documents needed to attach are evidence of establishment ownership or a lease agreement, worker information, and proof of payment for registration.

In order to complete Step 3, the employer must pay the registration fee, which differs from state to state, as required by the BOCW Act. The fee must be submitted together with the application forms.

Once the application form has been filled out and the registration fee has been paid, the State Welfare Board will scrutinize the employer’s submitted documents for verification.

Step 5 involves obtaining a registration certificate from the State Welfare Board provided that all the necessary documents are in proper order.

After a year, the registration done in accordance with the BOCW Act becomes invalid and needs to be renewed. The process of renewal is akin to the initial registration process. The employer is required to furnish the renewal fee, along with the completed application form and the relevant documents.

The papers needed for registering under the BOCW (Building and Other Construction Workers) Act must be gathered.

The necessary papers needed for the registration of BOCW Act include:

Verification of ownership or rental contract for the premises.
Details of the Workers Employed
Proof of Payment of Registration Fee

COST INVOLVED:

The amount of registration fee required by BOCW Act is different in each state. The employer is responsible for submitting the application form and associated registration fee.

TIME INVOLVED:

The duration for getting registered under the BOCW Act varies based on how long the State Welfare Board takes to process it. It could take a couple of weeks to acquire the registration certificate.

DISADVANTAGES OF BOCW REGISTRATION:

Employers who hire workers in the building and construction industry may experience a significant burden with the registration process, as it involves compliance.
The cost of enrollment can be a financial challenge for small and medium businesses under the BOCW Act.

The registration of the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Act is mandatory by law.

It is compulsory for buildings and construction establishments with 10 or more workers to register under the BOCW Act.

RULES FOR BOCW ACT REGISTRATION:

The BOCW Act’s enrollment certificate has a duration of one year and must be renewed after expiry.
The establishment is required to keep a record or list of all the building and construction workers it employs.
It is required for the employer to furnish identification cards to every building and construction laborer working under the company’s employment.
Under the BOCW Act, it is required for the employer to adhere to the various measures such as social security, financial assistance and welfare provisions.

In conclusion, the registration under the BOCW Act is mandatory for establishments employing 10 or more building and construction workers. The registration process involves several steps, which must be completed by the employer to ensure compliance with the law and provide benefits to the workers employed by the establishment. The registration under the BOCW Act provides several benefits to the building and construction workers, including welfare measures, social security measures, financial assistance, housing, and education facilities. It is essential for employers to complete the registration process to ensure the welfare and well-being of the workers employed by the establishment.