Arrest of Laborer in Saif Ali Khan Attack Case Sparks Debate on Background Checks; Developers Cite Challenges in Complete Identity Verification

2025-01-21 06:05:27

Developers Highlight Challenges in Worker Verification Amid Construction Boom

Developers and construction industry insiders reveal that the responsibility for verifying the identity and background of workers often falls on labor contractors. With the vast scale of construction activity in India, ensuring comprehensive identity and background checks for thousands of workers is nearly impossible, they say.

This issue gained attention following reports that a laborer accused of attacking actor Saif Ali Khan in Mumbai may have falsified his identity and is possibly not an Indian citizen. The suspect, arrested near a construction site labor camp in Thane, is alleged to be a Bangladeshi national who entered India six months ago. While authorities claim he is a foreigner, his lawyer has refuted these claims.

Government Mandates Background Checks

In response to such incidents, the Maharashtra government has directed real estate developers and construction firms to conduct thorough background verification and identification of workers at project sites and labor camps. However, the implementation of these measures remains a challenge, especially as labor contractors often recruit workers in bulk from remote villages in states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and the Northeast.

Recruitment and Verification Processes

Most large developers rely on engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms to handle project construction. These firms recruit workers—skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled—through an extensive contractor network. Developers emphasize that identity verification and maintaining peace in labor camps are priorities.

Ashish Puravankara, Managing Director of Puravankara Ltd., said, “Contractors must ensure mandatory background checks, including Aadhaar verification, before hiring workers. We also conduct periodic audits of labor records to maintain compliance. Across our sites, where 10,500 workers are employed, detailed files are maintained for each individual.”

Niranjan Hiranandani, Founder and Chairman of Hiranandani Group, highlighted similar measures, stating, “At Hiranandani, worker safety and well-being are paramount. All laborers undergo Aadhaar verification, health checks, and safety inductions before receiving entry passes. Strict policies ensure that any worker involved in altercations is immediately removed from camps.”

Challenges in Full Identity Verification

Despite these efforts, developers admit that verifying every worker’s identity, nationality, and criminal background remains a daunting task. Fake documents and the porous India-Bangladesh border exacerbate the problem, enabling foreign nationals to work on construction sites undetected.

A prominent developer, speaking anonymously, explained, “While we provide checklists to EPC contractors for labor recruitment and mandate police verification, fake Aadhaar and PAN cards occasionally slip through. Conducting individual verifications for thousands of workers is unrealistic.”

Another industry observer noted that counterfeit identity documents are readily available in many parts of India, further complicating efforts to identify workers accurately.

An Unorganized Sector

The labor verification process for unskilled workers remains largely unorganized, with most hiring outsourced to contractors. A listed developer shared, “For skilled and semi-skilled workers, we check certifications and past employer records. However, verifying the unskilled workforce, often recruited in bulk, is extremely challenging due to fake documents.”

Despite the challenges, developers agree on the importance of enhancing worker verification processes to ensure safety and compliance. However, they call for greater collaboration between government agencies, contractors, and developers to address these systemic issues effectively.