builders' representatives, had highlighted the conditions prevailing in the industry in its (1968) report. It had emphasised the casual and seasonal nature of work here and suggested concrete proposals for the improvement of working conditions, such as de- casualisation schemes, governmental planning and co-ordination, training, watch over the unregulated entry of contractors, measures to ensure benefits to the workers, etc. Measures such as these would go a long way towards doing away with the very basis for the permanent absorption demands. Periodically ILO reports have also emphasised the need for rational organisation of construction to protect workers' interests. However, todate, no measures remotely resembling any of these have been taken up.
