ToxicsWatch
Alliance (TWA)
To
Principal Secretary,
Labour Department,
Government of Bihar
Patna
Date: November 13, 2012
Subject- Occupational Diseases and Deaths
of migrant workers from Bihar on Alang beach, Bhavnagar, Gujarat
Sir,
I wish to draw your urgent attention towards the ongoing occupational deaths and diseases of migrants workers from Bihar on Alang beach, Bhavnagar, Gujarat in the hazardous ship breaking activity. In this regard a letter was sent to the Chief Minister of Gujarat as well. Reference: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-03/ahmedabad/34893107_1_alang-sender-deaths
I submit that Labour Department ought 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.
I wish to draw your urgent attention towards the ongoing occupational deaths and diseases of migrants workers from Bihar on Alang beach, Bhavnagar, Gujarat in the hazardous ship breaking activity. In this regard a letter was sent to the Chief Minister of Gujarat as well. Reference: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-03/ahmedabad/34893107_1_alang-sender-deaths
I submit that Labour Department ought 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.
I
have learnt that from 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.
I
submit that the District Magistrates of Munger, Gaya and Chhapra may be asked
to conduct a survey and submit a report about these workers. The workers may be asked to register before leaving
to work there to ensure that in case of casualty or accident District Administration
can intervene to pursue their cases.
I
submit that in case of injury or death, they are rarely compensated.
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.A
table indicating year wise deaths of migrant workers on Alang beach is attached. This may
be examined as well.
Let
me take the opportunity to state that it is a fit case for National Human
Rights Commission and States' Human Rights Commission to take suo motto notice
and ensure that the rights of migrant workers are protected.
I
submit that it is the duty of your Department 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.
In
view of the above, I urgently seek your 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.
Thanking You
Yours faithfully
Gopal Krishna
Convener
ToxicsWatch Alliance (TWA)
New Delhi
PIN. 110016
Phone: +91-11-26517814, Fax: +91-11-26517814
Mb: 9818089660
E-mail:krishna1715@gmail.com
Yours faithfully
Gopal Krishna
Convener
ToxicsWatch Alliance (TWA)
New Delhi
PIN. 110016
Phone: +91-11-26517814, Fax: +91-11-26517814
Mb: 9818089660
E-mail:krishna1715@gmail.com
Cc
Secretary, Union Ministry of Labour
Secretary, Union Ministry of Health
& Family Welfare
Chief Secretary, Government of Bihar
Chief Secretary, Government of Gujarat
Principal Secretary, Labour Department,
Government of Gujarat
Principal Secretary, Health
Department, Government of Bihar
Chairman, Bihar State Human Rights Commission
Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi
Chairman, Bihar State Human Rights Commission
Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi
District
Magistrate, Munger,
District
Magistrate, Gaya
District
Magistrate, Saran
Post a Comment