IFTU demands protection of construction workers’ welfare funds, free sand supply
By Doruvu Paul Jagan Babu: Assistant Chief Editor
Emmiganur – Andhra Pradesh: The IFTU has urged the state government to stop diverting welfare funds meant for construction workers and to immediately reinstate the regular functioning of the Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board, citing growing distress among workers due to lack of sand and halted benefits.
‘Welfare funds must serve workers alone’
Speaking after submitting a petition to Labour Department Officer Srikanth in Emmiganur, IFTU State Treasurer S Balaraju said that government policies were weakening the welfare board that lakhs of workers had fought to establish. He termed the alleged diversion of the board’s funds as “outrageous and unjust.”
Workers losing livelihood due to sand shortage
Balaraju said construction workers are facing unemployment due to non-availability of sand. He criticized the coalition government’s “free sand” policy, saying it has made sand supply practically inaccessible, severely affecting building activity and workers’ livelihoods.
Key demands of IFTU
The IFTU demanded that the government:
Cancel the 1214 circular that suspended welfare schemes under the board.
Resume all benefits to workers injured in accidents over the past five years.
Supply free sand immediately to construction workers and the public.
Withdraw the 13-hour work schedule and restore the standard 8-hour workday.
IFTU district and division leaders Babu, Mallikarjuna, Venkatesh, Narendra, Raghu, and Malleshappa participated in the program.
