Construction force gets a cover

BANGALORE: Here is some cheering news for thousands of construction labourers in Karnataka. Now, they will be covered under pension and health insurance schemes. Not just that, with too many accidents on site, the Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers��� Welfare Board has also decided to sanction a ���funeral fund��� of Rs 4,000 for these labourers who move from state to state to earn their daily bread.
All workers and labourers will have to register with the board to avail of accident, medical relief and funeral expenses. Medical expense coverage is extended from minimum Rs 2,000 up to Rs 50,000, especially for chest diseases like TB, cancer and for kidney patients. A sum of Rs 1 lakh is granted for accident and death at construction site. Karnataka has over 82,000 registered construction workers from various parts of the country.
���Once the construction worker completes five years of membership, he will be entitled for a monthly pension of Rs 300. A similar amount will be given in pension for the disabled and those suffering from diseases like cancer or TB,������ board sources said.