The Delhi Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board (DBCWWB) granted Covid relief disbursement of Rs 10,000 each to 1,825 construction workers on Wednesday.

The Delhi Government had already disbursed Rs 5,000 each to 2,17,039 construction workers as Covid relief disbursement this year. This relief comes as an additional benefit for construction workers who have been hit hardest by the outbreak.

The DBCWWB decided to disburse the money to those construction workers who were registered with the Board before September 30, 2018, on the condition that if they renewed their membership they would be eligible for the benefits. Deputy Chief Minister and Labour Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia said, “I urge all construction workers who were members of the Board before September 30, 2018 to renew their membership with the Construction Board so that they are able to receive the benefits.”

Sisodia added, “When the first lockdown was imposed due to the pandemic last year, the Delhi Government was one of the first Governments to disburse relief to the 39,600 workers who were registered with the Board in the month of March 2020.”

After Sisodia took charge of the labour department in November 2020, inspections and mass registration drives were conducted in Delhi’s labour offices.

On the basis of these inspections and registration drives, a series of reforms have been carried out in the labour department. “As a result of this, within six months the number of construction workers registered with the construction board has increased to 2.38 lakh,” he added.

In addition to this, another reform in the registration process of construction workers has happened where the entire verification process has been shifted online.

Sisodia said, “Earlier workers had to stand in long queues for hours to submit his/her application but now the entire process has been shifted online which helps the workers to quickly apply with the Government and not miss his/her daily wage.”

“More than 10,000 construction workers will also receive the relief amount in the coming weeks. These construction workers belong to the poorest of poor section of the society and were one of the hardest hit during the Covid crisis. This relief disbursement comes as a much needed support during these difficult times,” he said.