
Define
Registration under Building and other Construction Workers – BOCW Act 1996
BOCW stands for Building and Other Construction Workers. This measure was first introduced to address the concerns of unskilled laborers who work long hours in deplorable conditions. The Indian government introduced this statute as the BOCW.
As per the provisions of Building and other Construction Workers – BOCW (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act 1996 and Tamil Nadu Rules 2006, registration is mandatory for every establishment (in which ten or more ten or more building workers are employed) located in the state of Tamil Nadu. This online approval is common to all type of BOCW establishments and there is no discrimination based on risk category, size of firm / company, business location and Foreign / Domestic investor.
Why the “BOCW” act was introduced?
The BOCW Act was enacted to oversee the working conditions of workers. This act is beneficial when blue-collar workers in the building and construction industries are under pressure due to strict time and working conditions. It is regarded a social welfare plan that operates with the goal of providing benefits to workers participating in building and construction operations around the country. “An act to regulate the employment and conditions of service of building and other construction workers and to provide for their safety, health and welfare measures and for other matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.”

What the BOCW act does
- Construction, making payments linked to premia for the Group Insurance Scheme, providing financial aid for children’s education, and assisting workers by covering their medical expenditures in the event of a catastrophic illness.
- Under this Act, any building laborer aged 18 to 60 who has worked on any building or other development project for at least 90 days in the previous year is approved for registration as a recipient of the BOCW Welfare Fund.
- Workers can apply for registration using the approved form, providing the necessary documentation and a registration fee of no more than fifty rupees.
- The application is submitted to the officer authorized by the Board on this behalf.
Who is eligible to submit an application for services?
Contractor and Employer.
Eligibility criteria
- The every building worker age between 18 and 60 years.
- The building worker should have worked for more than 90 days in the previous 12 months.
Applicability of the Act – BOCW
A worker must meet the eligibility requirements for BOCW online registration, as listed below:
- It shall be assumed to have come into force on March 1, 1996.
- It applies to every establishment that employs or has employed 10 or more construction workers on any day in the previous twelve months in any building or other construction job.
Beneficiary of the Act
Employees and Employers / Contractors
It is compulsory for all State Governments to constitute the Welfare Board for Building and Other Construction Workers. The major activities of the Board will include the following activities:
- Death benefits.
- Maternity and funeral benefits.
- Grant for purchasing work-related tools.
- Making pension payments.
- In the event of an accident, offering rapid help to a recipient
- Sanctioning advances and loans for house construction.
- Covering medical expenses for serious ailments, etc.
- Offering financial assistance for the children’s education
- Paying premiums for the Group Insurance Scheme

Objectives Of the BOCW
The main objective of the BOCW Act is to govern the working conditions and employment of BOCW workers, as well as to provide for their safety, health, and welfare, and other associated issues.
Reason For Establishing BOCW
- The BOCW Act ensures that workers have a safe and healthy working environment and are not abused.
- Every State government in India is required by law to establish its own Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Boards.
- BOCW’s responsibilities include offering prompt assistance to employees in the event of an accident or mishap, paying pensions, issuing construction loans, making payments for Group Insurance Plan premia, financing children’s education, and supporting employees by covering their medical costs in the event of a serious illness.
- Under this Act, any building laborer between the ages of eighteen and sixty who has worked on construction projects or other development work for at least ninety days in the preceding year is eligible to be registered as a recipient of the BOCW Welfare Fund.
- Employees may submit an application for registration using the template form, along with the necessary paperwork and a registration fee of no more than fifty rupees.
- In this regard, an application is submitted to the board-authorized officer.
Officials Engaged in the service of
Joint Director of Industrial Safety and Health(BOCW)
Establishing an Online Application
Every Building and other Construction Workers establishment with ten or more building workers should submit an application in Form I to the relevant Joint Director of Industrial Safety and Health for registration of the establishment through an online portal. This application must be submitted with the required paperwork and the necessary registration fees.
Documents to be uploaded.
1. Form I (downloaded / digitally signed)
2. Copy of Supporting documents for possession of premises
3. Proof for employer identity
4. Proof for employer address
5. Proof for Site in charge identity
6. Proof for Site in charge address
7. Copy of Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association under Companies Act / Partnership Deed
8. Local body approval for construction
Note : All the above documents shall be digitally signed by the Employer.
BOCW Act Registration Fees details

Relevant Statutory Provision
Section 7 of Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and conditions of Service) Act, 1996 and Rule 23 of Tamil Nadu Building and other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2006
Penal Provision
The employer of the establishment shall be punished for a maximum period of three months, a fine of up to Rs.2,000, or both for violating Section 7 and its rules.
In the event of a grievance, the official should be contacted :
Director of Industrial Safety and Health
Senior Additional Director-ISH
Joint Director-ISH
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