Of Empty Promises and Rising Anger: Himachal’s Construction Workers Demand Their Due

It wasn’t just another demonstration. On September 22nd, the streets leading to the Labour Welfare Board office in Hamirpur were filled with the determined voices of those who build Himachal Pradesh. Men and women with calloused hands and weary faces—the construction workers from across the state—gathered not for a political rally, but to fight for their survival.

For over four years, the system meant to protect them has been failing them. The promises made when the current government took office have remained just that—promises. The Labour Welfare Board, which should be a source of support, has become a place of frustration. Workers like those who travelled from Chamba, Kullu, and Shimla shared stories of making countless trips to the office, only to be sent back with new paperwork for their registration or renewal, their benefits perpetually out of reach.

The anger has been simmering. “They decide in meetings to release half our benefits, but nothing ever happens,” one worker said, his voice echoing the sentiment of the crowd. “For two and a half years, we’ve heard the same assurances. Our money is being spent on new buildings and advertisements, while our children wait.”

The protest was a powerful display of this collective frustration. What began as a gathering outside the Tehsil complex turned into a rally that marched through the heart of Hamirpur, culminating in a peaceful but firm siege of the Welfare Board office. The air rang with slogans, not of ideology, but of basic rights and broken trust. The message was clear: the patience of the workforce is wearing thin.

In a significant moment, the workers even briefly stopped the car of the Board’s Chairman, not with violence, but with their sheer numbers, ensuring their message was heard directly. It was a silent, powerful act that spoke louder than any slogan.

Leaders from the Himachal Building, Road, and Other Construction Workers Union, including State President Joginder Kumar and General Secretary Amit Kanait, stood with the workers, amplifying their demands. They weren’t just reading from a memo; they were echoing the stories of the people beside them.

Their demands are simple, reasonable, and urgent:

· Clear the Backlog: Release our benefits, pending for four years.
· Cut the Red Tape: Stop punishing us with late fees for renewal.
· Support in Crisis: Provide financial aid for workers affected by natural disasters.
· Fix the System: Appoint a permanent Secretary in Hamirpur to streamline the Board’s work.
· Stop the Waste: Our hard-earned money should benefit us, not fund unnecessary buildings and publicity campaigns.

The union has given the Board a two-month deadline. It’s not just an ultimatum; it’s a final plea for action. The workers have declared that if their dues are not cleared and their demands not met, they will be forced to establish a permanent protest site. The responsibility for any further escalation, they stress, will rest squarely on the shoulders of the officials.

This is more than a press release; it’s a snapshot of a breaking point. It’s the story of the people who build our homes and roads, asking for the dignity and security they have rightfully earned.