Parliamentary Committee Urges Enhanced Childcare Facilities for Women Construction Workers

A Parliamentary committee has called for improved creche facilities for women construction workers, highlighting the need for better implementation of welfare measures. The report emphasizes collaboration with NGOs and the allocation of CSR funds for childcare support. It also stresses the importance of a robust inspection mechanism to ensure compliance with welfare provisions. With only two regions reporting creche availability, the committee urges the government to prioritize the welfare of this significant segment of the informal workforce. Discover the full details of these recommendations and their potential impact on women's rights in the construction sector.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 21, 2025, 16:16 IST

Recommendations for Improved Creche Facilities

New Delhi: A recent report from a Parliamentary committee highlights that only Madhya Pradesh and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu have registered creche facilities for women construction workers on the central portal. The committee has urged the Ministry of Labour to consider collaborating with NGOs to establish more creches.

The report, titled ‘Safety and Protection of Women in the Unorganised Sector’, was presented in Parliament by the Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women, led by BJP MP D Purandeswari. It suggests extending creche operating hours to align with the typical eight-hour workday of women, ensuring that childcare services meet employment needs.

Additionally, the committee recommends that a specific percentage of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds be allocated for childcare and maternity support within the informal sector.

The Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996, mandates comprehensive welfare measures for women in construction, including first aid, clean and accessible toilets, canteens, creches, and restrooms.

However, the committee noted significant shortcomings in the implementation of these welfare measures, particularly regarding creche facilities as outlined in Section 35 of the Act, which raises serious concerns.

Currently, only Madhya Pradesh and the UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu have reported creche provisions through the Building and Other Construction Workers Management Information System Portal (BOCW MIS portal). The report indicates a lack of data from other states and UTs.

The committee expressed that the limited data from just two regions highlights serious deficiencies in enforcing statutory welfare provisions for women and children.

The welfare of construction workers, a vital part of the informal workforce, must be prioritized, the committee emphasized.

The report calls on the government to implement proactive measures to ensure that the benefits of the Act reach the intended recipients efficiently and transparently.

It also stresses the need for coordination between various levels of government due to the concurrent nature of the subject.

Furthermore, the committee recommends that the Union government establish a robust inspection system, including regular and surprise checks at construction sites to ensure compliance with mandatory welfare facilities for women workers.

The committee acknowledged the PALNA scheme as beneficial but noted its slow progress. This initiative, part of Mission Shakti, aims to provide quality daycare for children.

The report mentions that some reputable NGOs have successfully opened full-day creches and provided skill training for women in the informal sector to become caregivers.

Lastly, the committee advocates for the inclusion of occupational health services in the Labour Code to address risks faced by both manual and office-based women workers, as well as the integration of mental health services into primary healthcare for informal women workers.