Punjab BOCW Board drops voter ID, caste fields after objections
UPSC / SSC current affairs note
Why in news
The Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board removed voter ID and caste certificate fields from its online registration portal after labour unions and activists objected. The move addresses concerns that these additional documents would create barriers for migrant workers seeking welfare benefits.
Background
Under the labour codes, a construction worker needs only an Aadhaar card and a self-declaration of 90 days of construction work to register with the welfare board. The Supreme Court in June 2021 directed all states to facilitate migrant worker registration for welfare schemes.
Key facts
Punjab BOCW Welfare Board dropped voter ID and caste certificate fields from its online registration portal on July 28, 2026.
Labour unions and rights activists had warned that these additional documents would disproportionately affect migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar who lack Punjab voter IDs.
Workers approaching Seva Kendras for registration or renewal were being asked for voter ID and caste certificates, which are not required under BOCW welfare laws.
Under labour codes, only an Aadhaar card and a self-declaration of 90 days of construction work are needed for registration.
Principal Secretary (Labour) Manvesh Sidhu said the fields were optional as per the NIC-managed portal and forms could be submitted without them.
Labour rights activist Vijay Waia welcomed the rollback but questioned why the fields were introduced initially.
Prelims pointers
- Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board
- National Informatics Centre (NIC)
- Supreme Court June 2021 directions on migrant worker registration
- Aadhaar card requirement
- Seva Kendras
Mains angles
- GS2: Government policies and interventions for vulnerable sections – migrant workers' welfare
- GS2: Role of labour unions and civil society in policy rollback
- GS2: Issues of federalism – state-level implementation of labour codes