Patiala, July 28 -- Amid objections from labour unions and rights activists, the Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board on Monday removed fields seeking voter identity cards and caste certificates from its online registration portal.

The move comes a day after labour rights groups had warned that the additional document requirements would disproportionately affect migrant workers from states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, many of whom do not possess Punjab voter identity cards, thereby creating fresh barriers to accessing welfare benefits.

Activists had alleged that workers approaching Seva Kendras for fresh registration and renewal of construction worker cards were being asked to submit voter ID cards and...