Construction workers unions affiliated with the Center of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) protested outside the Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (HPBOCWWB) office and demanded release of financial assistance of Rs 500 crore. This assistance, which is for more than one lakh workers, has been pending for four years.
Hundreds of workers, led by union leaders, blocked the entrance to the venue of the 47th board meeting to be held at the health department’s training center at Kasumpti in Shimla. The protesters presented their demands before the board officials and left after receiving assurances that their concerns would be addressed within a month.
Union leader Joginder Kumar, who is also a member of the board, criticized the board formed under the current Congress regime for inaction in worker welfare. He claimed that the board has completed two years of operation but very little has been done for the workers and attempts have been made to snatch away their legal rights. Kumar also accused the board of illegally withholding financial assistance and misappropriating funds for traveling allowance and personal expenses of officials.
