Maternity Assistance for the Construction Worker is a welfare scheme of the Sikkim Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board under the Labour Department. It gives registered female construction workers a cash benefit of ₹10,000 during pregnancy so they can manage maternity expenses without financial stress.
Sikkim government runs this scheme for women who are registered members of the BOCW Welfare Board for at least one year. The benefit amount is fixed by the Board from time to time, and a member can claim this support for a maximum of two children in her lifetime. The scheme is still in force in 2026, and applications are accepted offline through the District Labour Office.
Maternity Assistance for the Construction Worker - Introduction
Construction work is heavy, and pregnancy makes it harder for women workers to continue earning. Maternity Assistance for the Construction Worker was started by the Sikkim BOCW Welfare Board to give such women a fixed cash benefit during their maternity period. A woman who has been a registered beneficiary for at least one year can receive the amount decided by the Board and use it for treatment, nutrition and other maternity-related needs.
The scheme covers women who are engaged in building and other construction work in Sikkim. Only those who hold a valid BOCW identity card and keep paying their monthly contribution are eligible to apply. The Labour Department manages the whole process through the District Labour Offices across the state.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Maternity Assistance for the Construction Worker |
| Level | State |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary State | Sikkim |
| Category | Social Welfare and Empowerment, Women and Child |
| Benefit Type | Cash |
| Benefit Amount | ₹10,000 |
| DBT Scheme | No |
| Nodal Department | Labour Department |
Benefits
Under this scheme, an eligible female member gets a cash grant of ₹10,000 for her pregnancy and maternity needs. This money helps cover hospital visits, medicines, nutritious food and other expenses during the maternity period.
The benefit is allowed only twice in a lifetime, and it covers the first two children only. So a woman should plan her claim carefully and apply only when she is pregnant and meets the membership conditions.
Eligibility
To get this benefit, a woman must first be a valid member of the Sikkim Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. The conditions are given below.
For Worker Registration
- The applicant should be a resident of Sikkim.
- The applicant should be actively working as a building or construction worker.
- The applicant should be between 18 and 60 years of age.
- The applicant should have served the Board for at least 90 days in a year.
For Maternity Assistance Eligibility
- The woman should be a registered member of the Sikkim BOCW Welfare Board for at least one year.
- She should be currently pregnant at the time of applying.
- This assistance can be claimed for the first two children only.
Application Process
Maternity Assistance for the Construction Worker is an offline scheme. A woman first registers as a construction worker and then applies for maternity benefit at her District Labour Office. The steps are given below.
STEP 1 - Download the registration form (Form XXVII) from the Sikkim Labour Department website or collect it from the District Labour Office.
STEP 2 - Fill the form and submit it with the required documents to the Registering Officer of the area. After verification, the officer registers the worker as a beneficiary and issues an identity card in Form XXVIII.
STEP 3 - Once the identity card is received, download the welfare scheme application form (Form XLI) for maternity assistance.
STEP 4 - Submit the filled application with all mandatory self-attested documents to the Secretary or any authorised officer at the local District Labour Office.
STEP 5 - The office checks the eligibility and processes the cash benefit once everything is found correct.
Documents Required
Keep the following papers ready while applying for registration and for the maternity claim.
For Initial Worker Registration:
- Latest photographs.
- Attested proof of age and address.
- Employment details of the current establishment.
- Receipt of the registration fee submission.
For Maternity Assistance Claim:
- Official letter from the employer or establishment.
- Valid BOCW identity card.
- Birth certificate of the child.
- Family photograph.
Helpdesk Contact Details
Workers can call these numbers for help: 70769-26998 (BOCW Nodal Officer), 90643-89842 (East), 90028-33969 (Pakyong), 96098-63959 (South), 95477-16798 (West), 96359-98441 (North), and the Labour Toll Free Helpline at 18003451474.
References
For official details, forms and guidelines, visit the official pages below.
Sikkim Labour Department Official Website | Sikkim BOCW Welfare Board Page
FAQ's
What is the age limit for registration?
You must be between 18 and 60 years old to register as a beneficiary under the BOCW Welfare Board.
What is the process to get an identity card?
Submit the completed registration form to the Registering Officer. After verification, the officer issues the identity card in Form XXVIII.
Can I appeal a rejected application?
Yes, you may file an appeal to the Board within 30 days of the decision.
How do I file a nomination?
You should file a nomination in Form XXXI, which can be updated if your family status changes, for example after marriage.
What is the registration fee and contribution?
The registration fee is ₹20, and you are required to contribute ₹20 per month, remitted every 3 months at designated banks.
What happens if I stop paying contributions?
If you fail to pay for one year, your beneficiary status may cease. You can resume membership with the Secretary's permission by paying the arrears, but this can be done only twice.
Who qualifies for maternity assistance?
Registered female beneficiaries with at least one year of membership are eligible for this support for their first two children.
How do I get the application form?
You can download the application form from the Sikkim Labour Department website or collect it from the District Labour Office.