Pension Benefit is a welfare scheme run by the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board under the Labour Department of West Bengal. It gives a monthly pension to registered construction workers once they turn 60 years old, as long as they have served the Board for at least 5 years. This support helps older workers and their families stay financially secure after years of hard work on construction sites.
Pension Benefit is managed by the BOCW Welfare Board, which was set up in 2005 under the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996. The Minister in charge of the Labour Department heads the Board. The scheme is still open for eligible registered workers in West Bengal, and the official board page confirms the current pension amounts for 2026.
Pension Benefit - Introduction
Pension Benefit acts as a dedicated welfare scheme for registered construction workers in West Bengal. A registered member receives a monthly pension once they reach 60 years of age, provided they have served the Board for at least 5 years. If the beneficiary passes away, the scheme protects the family by giving a family pension to the spouse or nominee, which is equal to half of the original pension amount.
The Board also runs several other welfare measures for the same group of workers. These include accident benefit, medical help, maternity benefit, death benefit, education support, funeral expenses, tools reimbursement, marriage assistance, girl child benefit, and refund of subscription. Pension remains one of the main long-term benefits for ageing workers.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Pension Benefit |
| Level | State |
| Scheme for | Individual |
| Beneficiary States | West Bengal |
| Category | Social welfare and Empowerment |
| Sub Category | Pension |
| Benefit Type | Cash |
| Nodal Department | Labour Department |
| Tags | Labour, Building Worker, Construction Worker, Pension, Nominee |
Benefits
The scheme provides the following monthly cash support to eligible registered workers, as listed on the official Board page:
| Benefit Type | Amount Details |
|---|---|
| Regular Pension | ₹750 per month |
| Family Pension | ₹375 per month (half of the original amount) |
If a registered worker passes away, the spouse or nominated beneficiary receives a monthly family pension equal to 50% of the amount the worker was receiving. As per the official figures, this works out to ₹375 per month when the full pension is ₹750.
Eligibility
To qualify for this support, a worker needs to meet specific criteria for both initial registration and the pension application.
For Registration as a Building or Construction Worker:
The applicant should be an official resident of West Bengal and currently working as a building or construction labourer. The age should be between 18 and 60 years. The worker should also have completed at least 90 days of construction work within the past year.
For Application of Pension Benefit:
The applicant should be a registered member with the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board of West Bengal. The worker should have served as a registered member for a minimum of 5 years before applying for the pension.
Application Process
The pension is applied for through the offline process by visiting the local labour office.
Registration Process:
STEP 1 - Contact the Assistant Labour Commissioner or the designated Beneficiary Registering Officer in the area to obtain Form-27.
STEP 2 - Fill out the form, attach all required self-attested documents, and submit it to the same office.
Pension Benefit Application Process:
STEP 1 - Once fully registered as a member, request Form-XXXVII from the Assistant Labour Commissioner or Beneficiary Registering Officer.
STEP 2 - Complete the form and submit it along with the required documents for verification.
Renewal and Verification:
After successful verification, the worker receives an identity card and a passbook. A registration fee of ₹20 and a yearly subscription of ₹30 are payable. Membership must be renewed every year using Form-27A with a renewal fee of ₹30. If renewal is missed within one year, the registration is cancelled and a fresh application is needed for reinstatement.
Documents
Keep the following documents ready for the application process.
For Registration:
Four copies of recent passport size photographs and an attested copy of the proof of age are required.
For Pension Benefit Application:
- A valid Member Identity Card.
- A Dependent or Heirship Certificate if applying as a spouse or nominee.
- Any other documentation requested by the official.
Support Contact
For help, contact the Labour Department, Government of West Bengal, 12th Floor, N.S Building, Block-A, 1, Kiran Shankar Roy Road, Kolkata-700001. The Shramik Sathi helpline can be reached at 1800-103-0009.
Definitions
Building and Other Construction Work covers activities such as the construction, alteration, repair, maintenance, or demolition of buildings, streets, roads, railways, airfields, irrigation, drainage, and navigation works. It also includes flood control, electricity transmission, water works, oil and gas installations, and communication infrastructure like telegraph or telephone lines.
References
Official BOCW Welfare Board Page
West Bengal Labour Welfare Board
FAQ's
What is the age limit for registration?
You must be between 18 and 60 years old to register as a beneficiary.
Is there a minimum work requirement yearly?
Yes, you should have worked as a construction labourer for at least 90 days in the preceding 12 months.
Who is eligible to apply for this pension?
Any registered worker under the Board who has at least 5 years of recorded service is eligible.
How do I register as a new worker?
Submit a completed Form-27 along with a ₹20 registration fee and a ₹30 annual subscription to your local Assistant Labour Commissioner.
What if I miss my annual renewal?
If you fail to renew your subscription after one year, your registration is cancelled. You should submit a fresh application to the Assistant Labour Commissioner to reconsider your status.
How much pension will I receive?
As per the official Board page, eligible beneficiaries receive ₹750 per month, with a family pension of ₹375 per month.
What happens to a family if the beneficiary passes away?
The spouse or nominee of the deceased beneficiary is entitled to a family pension equal to 50% of the monthly pension amount the beneficiary was receiving.
Where should I submit the Form-XXXVII?
You should submit your application form to the Assistant Labour Commissioner or the Beneficiary Registering Officer in your specific area.