Workers fear job loss if HUA uses advanced technology: CWFI

An association of construction workers has said the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry's plan to make use of advanced technologies to reduce the time taken for building houses would render lakhs of workers jobless.
The ministry is aiming at constructing 1.2 crore houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) by 2022.
HUA Secretary D S Mishra had earlier said it would launch a competition and invite companies from across the world to showcase their construction techniques.
The selected ones would be used to build affordable houses for the poor, he had said, adding there were technologies that could complete housing projects, which normally take around three years, within 90 days.

However, the idea of putting to use such technologies has not gone down well with the Construction Workers Federation Of India (CWFI), which fears it would leave lakhs of workers in the sector jobless.
CWFI General Secretary Debanjan Chakrabarti said those engaged in the road construction work have already been hit hard by the sophisticated machinery being used.
He said he would take up the matter with the ministry.
The CWFI claims it has over 12 lakh construction workers registered as its members.