In a major step towards simplifying the registration process for construction workers in Maharashtra, the state government has launched an online registration system. Workers can now register from anywhere. But they will have to visit the district or taluka facility centre for biometric and document verification.
Maharashtra Labour Minister Akash Fundkar announced that the initiative has been launched across the state from today, February 5. The government has set up 366 taluka facility centres, where workers can schedule their verification visits as per their convenience.
Each centre will process 150 applications per day. This will ensure an efficient system for construction workers to complete their registration, said the minister.
The Integrated Welfare Board Computer System (IWBMS) is an online platform designed to handle registration, renewal and benefit disbursement for construction workers. Earlier, this process was managed only at district centres.
However, following the central government's directive, the state has now expanded the system to include taluka-level centres, the Maharashtra minister said.
Since the facility centres became operational on November 8, 2024, a total of 5,12,581 applications have been processed online. However, the huge demand has led to huge crowding at these centres, causing inconvenience to workers and likely a reduction in daily wages.
In response, the labour department has revised the guidelines to improve efficiency and transparency in the process, he added.
Out of the five employees at the district facility centres, three will work as data entry operators, while the remaining two will focus on updating the records of construction workers.
Underlining the need to resolve all pending construction worker applications by March 31, 2025, Fundkar announced that a coordination cell has been set up at the board level to monitor the process.