Realtors’ body rules to provide wages to the construction workers even though they are off work due to COVID19.

Realty developers body the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI) has opted to pay construction staff even though they are off work owing to sickness or work stoppage at the site in the context of ongoing coronavirus mayhem.

CREDAI has mentioned in a letter to members of its realty developers that this change would help construction workers handle the stress in these tough times.

“In these days of global tragedy, we as an industry will stand united in solidarity and combat this battle. It’s time for us to stand by our clients, suppliers, employees and particularly our site workers who need us the most,” said CREDAI National chairman Jaxay Shah.

It was reported on Saturday that the coronavirus epidemic has started to effecting on active construction activities as more than 30% of staff are not reporting to project sites owing to fear of contamination and contractors are still not willing to move them through.

“There are about 20,000 pending projects around the nation, and construction activity is conducted in around 18,000 of these. It entails about 8.5 million in construction work alone,” said the industry body.

Given the anticipated effect of the Covid-19 outbreak on the economy, developers advise the authorities to use the Rs 1 lakh crore raised from them for the Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare (BOCW) cess to include wage losses and health benefits for construction staff.