Refund of Subscriptions for the Construction Workers

Description
The “Refund of Subscriptions for the Construction Workers” scheme by the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, Labour Department, West Bengal, is a welfare scheme for the registered workers of the board. Under this scheme, the entire subscription deposited by the beneficiary will be refunded with 8% interest to the subscriber on maturity at the age of 60 years or unwillingness to continue as a beneficiary under the Board after 3 years or to the nominee legal heir upon the death of the subscriber.

Definitions
Building & Other Construction Work
(Source: https://wblc.gov.in/sites/default/files/ckfinder/userfiles/images/BOCW.pdf)

Benefits
• Quantum of Assistance: Subscription deposited by the beneficiary will be refunded with 8% interest to the subscriber.

Eligibility Criteria
1. > **For Registration as a Building/ Construction Worker:**
2. - The applicant should be a resident of West Bengal.
3. - The applicant should be a Building/ Construction Worker.
4. - The applicant should be between 18 and 60 years.
5. - The applicant should have engaged in building and construction work for at least 90 days in a given year.
6. > **For the Application of the Welfare Scheme:**
7. - The applicant should be a registered member Under the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board of West Bengal.
8. - The applicant should reach the age of maturity i.e. 60 years.
9. Or,
10. - The applicant do not want to continue as a subscriber under the Board after 3 years of registration.
11. Or,
12. - The subscriber has lost his/her life due to death. (Applicant should be nominee (legal heir) of the subscriber.

Required Documents
• Passport size photographs of the worker (Four copies).
• Attested copy of Proof of Age.
• Identity Card of the member.
• Dependent/ Nominee/ Heirship Certificate and Death Certificate of the subscriber (In case the applicant is the Nominee of the member).
• Any other document if required.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the age requirement for registration as a beneficiary under the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board of West Bengal?
A: The building worker must be at least 18 years old and not older than 60 years old.

Q: Is there a minimum service requirement to register as a beneficiary?
A: Yes, the building worker must have completed 90 days of service as a building worker in the preceding 12 months.

Q: Who can apply for the welfare scheme?
A: Any registered worker of the Board can apply for the welfare scheme.

Q: Who is responsible for registering a worker as a beneficiary?
A: At present all Assistant Labour Commissioners and Inspectors posted at blocks and municipalities shall be responsible for registering a worker as a beneficiary.

Q: Who is eligible for registration as a beneficiary of the BOCW Welfare Board?
A: Every building worker who is between the age of 18-60 years and who has been engaged in any building or other construction work for not less than 90 days during the preceding one year is eligible for registration as a beneficiary of the BOCW Welfare Board of West Bengal.

Q: What is the procedure for applying for the registration?
A: To register as a beneficiary under the BOCW Welfare Board, an applicant worker should collect and submit the Form-27 with all the mandatory documents (self attested, if required) and a fee of [?]20/- to the Assistant Labour Commissioners/ Beneficiary Registering Officers.

Q: Is there a specific form for the registration as a beneficiary under the BOCW Welfare Board?
A: Yes, the application for registration must be made in Form-27. You can obtain this form from the Assistant Labour Commissioners/ Beneficiary Registering Officers in your area.

Q: What happens after a construction worker is successfully verified for registration?
A: Upon successful verification, the construction worker is registered, and an identity card and passbook are issued to him/her.

Q: What are the fees associated with the registration process?
A: The registration fee is [?]20/-, and the yearly subscription fee is [?]30/-. These amounts are noted in the passbook, and a receipt is issued.

Q: How is the yearly subscription fee documented?
A: The yearly subscription fee of [?]30/- is recorded in the passbook, and a receipt is issued for the payment.

Q: What is the process for renewing the subscription after one year?
A: After the expiry of one year, the subscription of the beneficiary is renewed upon payment of a renewal fee of [?]30/- and submission of an application made in Form-27A.

Q: What happens if the subscription is not renewed after one year?
A: If the subscription is not renewed, the registration of the beneficiary is cancelled after the expiry of one year.

Q: Can a beneficiary reapply for renewal after cancellation?
A: Yes, a fresh application for renewal can be submitted to the Assistant Labour Commissioner (ALC) for consideration.

Q: What criteria must an applicant meet to be considered for this benefit?
A: A registered member Under the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board of West Bengal; at the age of 60 years or after 3 years if they choose to leave the Board, or to the nominee upon the beneficiary's death shall be also eligible for this benefit.

Q: How much financial assistance is given under this benefit?
A: The Board shall refund the entire subscription deposited by the beneficiary with 8% interest to the subscriber.

Q: Where can the prescribed format be collected from?
A: The prescribed format which can be collected from Assistant Labour Commissioners/ Beneficiary Registering Officers in your area.

Q: Where do I submit the application for this welfare scheme?
A: Submit your welfare scheme application to the Assistant Labour Commissioners/ Beneficiary Registering Officers in your area.