Press Release
Bihar Health
Secretary assures ‘necessary steps to help’ Bihari Workers of Alang beach, Gujarat
Gujarat Govt
shows unpardonable callousness towards migrants workers
Patna/New
Delhi/ 14/11/2012: Responding to an urgent
letter to Bihar Government towards the ongoing occupational deaths and diseases
of migrants workers from Bihar on Alang beach, Bhavnagar, Gujarat in the
hazardous ship breaking activity, Health Secretary will take steps for
Bihari workers of Alang, Gujarat. It also drew attention towards a letter in
this regard which was sent to the Chief Minister of Gujarat wherein unpardonable
indifference towards death of 173 migrant workers during 2001-2012 has been
pointed out. Both the letters are attached.
“We will take necessary steps to help our
workers” informed Dr Vyasji, Principal Secretary, Health
Department, Government of Bihar in a message to ToxicsWatch Alliance (TWA), a
research and advocacy organisation on November 13, 2012 in the matter of occupational diseases and deaths of migrant workers from
Bihar on Alang beach, Bhavnagar, Gujarat.
This was in response to a letter sent to Principal Secretary, Health Department
and Principal Secretary, Labour Department by TWA.
The has urged Bihar Government to inquire into the number of
migrant workers from the State who work in the hazardous ship breaking yards on
Alang beach to seek relief for the diseased and their family. This is required
to ensure that the routine deaths of migrant workers from the State do not go
unattended. It ought to consider getting the old cases of deaths of Bihari
migrant workers on the Alang beach re-opened. The States' Labour Department
ought to coordinate with its counterpart in Gujarat to probe the occupational
diseases and deaths of Bihari Alang workers and made those who responsible for
it liable for their acts of omission and commission.
The letter revealed that workers from villages of Munger
district like Katriea, Madreapur, Lakhanpur Sarganj, Wisanpur, Makwa, Mahanpur,
Gharhara, Chotemaoali, Bahdepur, Chirnyabag, Baryarpur, Ratanpur, Balaahi and
Purshottampur have been going to work in the hazardous industry at Alang.
Workers from Gaya district go from villages like Despura, Bhadaya, Jagir, Jagir
Bespura and Pahdea. Workers from villages of Saran district like Jumaighar,
Jumaighar, Kedarposta, Jainawan and Domaeegarh have been working in the
hazardous industry on Alang beach.
It has urged the State Govt to seek a report from District
Magistrates of Munger, Gaya and Chhapra about these workers. The workers may be asked to register before
leaving to work there to ensure that in cases of casualty or accidents District
Administration can intervene to pursue their cases.
It
has come to light that in case of injury or death, the migrant workers are
rarely compensated adequately. Narratives of local fishermen refer to dumping
of workers bodies in the sea. Workers mention the use of violence by the local
police against attempts of strikes by them over dispute about salary, safety,
working and living conditions. This should be examined as well. A table
indicating year wise deaths of migrant workers on Alang beach is attached.
It is a fit case for the States'
Human Rights Commission to take suo motto notice and ensure that the rights of
migrant workers are protected. National Human Rights Commission should also intervene
because two State Governments besides Central Govt is involved.
It is the duty of the State Govt to
gather data of the migrant workers of the State who are involved in the ship
breaking activity at Alang beach, Bhavnagar, Gujarat given the fact that they
are globally recognized to be the most vulnerable workforce prone to highest
number of accidental deaths and incurable occupational diseases.
TWA has urgently sought pro-active
intervention to ensure that migrant workers from Bihar get both medical
and legal remedy besides just compensation and to ensure that the guilty
officials and ship breakers are made accountable in an exemplary manner to set
matters right.
For
Details: Gopal Krishna, Convener, ToxicsWatch Alliance (TWA), Mb:08002263335,
9818089660, E-mail:krishna1715@gmail.com
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