ABSTRACT
The Tamil Nadu Construction Workers Welfare Board, established under the Tamil Nadu Manual Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Work) Act, 1982, serves as a crucial institution dedicated to improving the safety, health, and overall wellbeing of construction workers in Tamil Nadu. This sector,characterized by physically demanding labor and hazardous environments, faces many challenges, including occupational diseases unsafe working conditions, and inadequate social security. The Welfare Board plays a pivotal role in addressing these concerns through comprehensive registration, welfare cess collection, and the implementation of targeted welfare schemes. Significant recent initiatives by the Board include the Master Health Check-Up Scheme, designed to identify and treat occupational health issues such as silicosis a prevalent respiratory disease among construction workers exposed to silica dust. Further, the Board has introduced skill development programs that train workers in new construction technologies and safety practices, enhancing both their safety awareness and employability. The government has also committed substantial financial resources to establishing vocational training institutes with hostel facilities to support workers and their families. In addition to health and skills, the Welfare Board emphasizes social security by providing personal accident relief, maternity benefits, educational support, and housing loans. In 2025, accident compensation benefits were notably increased, reflecting a stronger institutional commitment to worker protection. Despite these advancements, challenges remain, particularly in reaching unregistered and transient workers, and ensuring comprehensive awareness and implementation of welfare measures. Nevertheless, the Tamil Nadu Construction Workers Welfare Board symbolizes a transformative approach from basic workplace safety to holistic worker welfare, thereby contributing to the sustained growth and dignity of the construction workforce. This evolution underlines Tamil Nadu dedication to fostering safe, secure, and inclusive working environments that empower the backbone of its infrastructural development.
Keywords: Tamil Nadu Construction Workers Welfare Board, occupational safety, silicosis, worker welfare schemes, skill development, social security, construction labor wellbeing.
- INTRODUCTION
The TamilNadu construction industry is a vital pillar of the state’s robust economic growth, contributing significantly to its impressive 11.2% real GDP growth in 2024-25, outpacing the national average. The sector’s rapid expansion reflects Tamil Nadu position as a leading industrial hub with growing infrastructure development, manufacturing activities, and urbanization driving demand for construction labor. This industry not only fuels economic progress but also provides employment to millions of manual workers who form the backbone of TamilNadu workforce.However, construction workers face numerous challenges, including hazardous working conditions, exposure to occupational diseases like silicosis, long working hours, and limited access to essential health and social security benefits. These precarious conditions impact their safety and overall wellbeing, demanding focused interventions from the government and regulatory bodies.
To address these critical issues, the Tamil Nadu Construction Workers Welfare Board was established under the Tamil Nadu Manual Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Work) Act, 1982. The Board’s core mandate is to safeguard the rights and welfare of construction laborers through comprehensive registration, implementation of welfare schemes, and ensuring access to occupational safety, health services, and social security benefits. It plays a central role in improving construction worker welfare, thereby supporting the sustainable growth of the sector and enhancing the socio-economic status of the workforce who are foundational to Tamil Nadu development.