Focus on ESI for construction workers

Vijayawada: Swachh Andhra Pradesh brand ambassador Vidya Khanna said all the leaders of various real estate organisations should write to the Central government to make ESI facility applicable to all the real-estate construction workers.She was the chief guest at the general body meeting organised by Builders Association of India (BAI) here on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, she said farmers, weavers and construction workers were important for providing food, clothing and shelter. She said that if an accident occurs while the worker was at work, he would be given compensation. But if they have ESI, they would get many benefits, she said and added they should be provided pension after retirement at 60 years of age.

BAI chairman A Nagamalleswara Rao said that cement companies were forming a syndicate and increasing the prices as they wish creating a huge problem to the builders. He said that when the issue was brought to the notice of the government, the cement companies had been reducing the price. 

After a few days, they were again increasing the prices, he alleged.With the increase in cement prices, the buyer had to face the burden indirectly, he added.Leaders of various workers’ unions and others participated in the meeting.