In collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, the ILO's Country Office for India organized a National Tripartite Consultation on "Promotion of Registration of Construction Workers under Building and Other Constructions Workers Welfare Cess Act, 1996". The objective of the meeting was to share the experiences amongst all stakeholders on the implementation of the Welfare Schemes under the above Act and to have a strategic plan to promote registration of the construction workers under the Welfare Board for expansion of social security schemes to these workers.

The tripartite consultation attracted a large participation. More 90 participants representing Ministries of Labour, Railways, Power, Finance; 12 National Trade Union Centres, Other construction unions, Employers' Organizations and Builders Associations, senior officials from 16 state governments/Union Territories, Public Sector Undertakings, NGOs and Civil Society Organizations participated in the consultations.

The Tripartite Consultation was inaugurated by Mr. Anil Swarup, Director-General (Labour Welfare), Ministry of Labour and Employment. After a very lively discussion, the participants came up with a set of recommendations to enhance the service delivery of the Welfare Boards and unanimously concluded that skills development is an important issue to be considered for inclusion in the services/welfare schemes extended by the Welfare Boards. The conclusions will be submitted to the Ministry of Labour and Employment and State Governments for their consideration.

The Consultation also recommended to set up a small technical group led by ILO to provide technical assistance to the state governments in standardization of processes involved in registration of construction workers, settlement of claims and to facilitate information sharing amongst all stakeholders.