Maharashtra is intensifying its efforts to combat fraud and exploitation within its construction worker welfare schemes, aiming to ensure that benefits reach those who are truly entitled and to eliminate the siphoning of funds by unscrupulous elements. Recent reports have highlighted various forms of corruption, prompting the state government and labor department to take decisive action.
One of the primary areas of concern is the exploitation of workers during the registration process for the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board. Agents and middlemen have been found to charge exorbitant fees, sometimes as high as ₹1,000, for registration, even though the official fee is only ₹1. This practice deprives vulnerable workers of their hard-earned money and hinders their access to crucial welfare benefits. The labor department has vowed to take strict action against these agents, with the CEO of the BOCW Welfare Board, Vivek Kumbhar, stating that FIRs will be filed against those found overcharging. To increase accessibility and reduce exploitation, the Labour Board introduced an online registration system in February 2025, confirming that the fee would remain Re 1.
Another significant issue is the misuse of welfare funds through fraudulent claims and bogus enrollments. In one instance, a video surfaced showing a person allegedly demanding money from applicants of a government scheme for building construction workers, promising quicker processing in exchange for hefty sums. Social activists have condemned such exploitation, emphasizing that the state government does not charge any fees for these services and demanding strict action against those responsible. In response, the Deputy Labour Commissioner of Pune, Abhay Gite, urged workers not to fall prey to such agents and to refrain from paying any intermediaries.
The Maharashtra government is also cracking down on fake Mathadi workers, who are not genuinely engaged in manual labor but have obtained bogus registrations to exploit the system. Labour Minister Akash Fundkar has announced plans for a digital overhaul of the registration process, including linking registrations with Aadhaar, biometric attendance systems, and employer verification. This aims to identify and weed out fraudulent elements who create an atmosphere of fear and extortion in industrial regions. The government has also amended the Maharashtra Mathadi, Hamal and Other Manual Workers (Regulation of Employment and Welfare) Bill to define manual work as a "core activity," further reducing ambiguity and preventing misuse.
Past incidents have also shed light on the depth of corruption within the system. For example, in 2016, a labor department official was suspended in connection with an ₹80-crore construction scam involving irregularities in the construction of buildings meant for worker welfare. More recently, in 2023, the state government initiated an inquiry into alleged irregularities and corruption in the supply and distribution of items like safety kits and boots to laborers. Allegations of fake enrollments and bogus bills in the midday meal scheme for construction workers have also surfaced, prompting investigations and scrutiny.
These measures reflect a concerted effort by the Maharashtra government to ensure transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the administration of construction worker welfare schemes. By clamping down on fraud and exploitation, the state aims to protect the rights and interests of genuine laborers and provide them with the support they need to lead dignified lives.
