A revealing study by WRI India shows that Bengaluru's transition to low-carbon construction has failed to improve wages or working conditions for laborers, with many earning below the state-mandated minimum wage.
- No wage difference found between low-carbon certified buildings and conventional projects.
- Unskilled workers on large projects earn as low as ₹500/day, below the ₹669.61 minimum wage.
- Safety norms remain inadequate and inconsistently enforced across all project types.
Bengaluru is aggressively pursuing a low-carbon future, with a heavy emphasis on green building certifications to combat climate change. However, a new working paper titled 'Decent green jobs as a pathway for fair urban transitions' by WRI India reveals a stark disconnect between environmental goals and labor welfare. While the city's skyline turns 'green', the workers building it remain trapped in a cycle of low pay and poor entitlements.
The study, based on focus group discussions with 55 workers and 15 stakeholders, highlights a disturbing wage gap. Unskilled workers on large, code-compliant projects—which are ironically more likely to be 'green'—earn as little as ₹500 per day. This is significantly lower than the State’s mandated minimum wage of ₹669.61. Interestingly, smaller projects offer higher daily rates (₹700 to ₹1,000), though they often lack the stability and safety of larger sites.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the 'Green Transition' is currently being treated as a technical upgrade rather than a socio-economic one. If the shift to sustainable construction does not include a 'Just Transition' framework for the workforce, it risks perpetuating systemic inequality under the guise of environmentalism.
The research suggests that potential for new employment exists in niches such as retrofitting old structures and managing construction and demolition waste. Skilled workers like masons and electricians could pivot to 'green jobs' by mastering low-carbon materials. However, the authors argue that mere job creation is not a substitute for fair wages and legal protections.
"Climate action in the building sector must integrate labor welfare to ensure that the workers building a sustainable city are not themselves made more vulnerable."
Migrant workers, who form the backbone of Bengaluru's construction sector, face additional hurdles. Despite the sector paying more than agriculture, these workers struggle to access benefits from the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (BOCW Board), leaving them without a safety net during health crises or unemployment.
| Project Scale | Approx. Daily Wage | Working Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Large Code-Compliant | ₹500 (Below Min Wage) | Safer, more consistent employment |
| Small Projects | ₹700 - ₹1,000 | Less safe, erratic employment |
Furthermore, the study found no significant improvement in safety on low-carbon sites compared to conventional ones. Current safety norms fail to address environmental stressors, such as extreme heat exposure, which is becoming increasingly critical as climate change intensifies.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the main finding regarding wages in green buildings?
The study found no significant wage difference between workers on low-carbon certified buildings and those on conventional projects, with many still earning below the legal minimum.
2. How can the construction workforce benefit from the green shift?
By gaining skills in low-carbon materials and retrofitting, and by ensuring that labor welfare is legally integrated into climate policies.
