Brief Report

National Consultation on OHS was organized on 30th and 31st January 2006 at Delhi was organized by ANROAV, AMRC and PTRC on OHS issues and future activities in India. Objective of the meeting was to provide platform to various grass root groups to come together to discuss their activities, problems they face and whether there is any scope for joint efforts.

It was attended by representatives of Silicosis Affected Persons’ Organization, Khambhat, Gujarat, OHSA, Ahemadabad, PTRC, Vadodara, Gujarat State, Farmers’ Organization, Mettur, Tamil Nadu State, OHSC, Mumbai, AITUC, Amritsar, the Punjab State, Delhi Suraksha Samiti, Hazards Centre, Delhi, PRASAR, Delhi, Centre for Education and Communication, Delhi, Chutta Majdoor Union (Casual workers’ organization), Zabua, Madhya Pradesh, Jana Swasthya Abhiyan, Madhya Pradesh, Khet Virasat Mission, Punjab, ICHRLN, Delhi, FOCUS, Bangkok, Thailand and AMRC, ANROAV, Hong Kong, and Aditi (Kolkata) and Pranjal (Delhi; Industrial Hygienist)

All the representatives got time to present their activities. Silicosis was one of the main themes as it concerned groups from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi.

Initially there was presentation about Asian Network for the Rights of Occupational Accident Victims (ANROAV), its emergence and spread in Asia. PTRC presented its activities regarding silicosis, chrome related problems and other OH problems.

Silicosis Problem in Lal Kuva, Dehi, MP And Gujarat:

In Delhi, PRASAR pursued the State Govt. to look into silicosis problem. It estimates till date thousands have expired due to this problem arising out of working in stone crushing units.  Now the Govt has appointed a committee and follow up is going on. Consistent persuasion of Govt was emphasized as a successful strategy. In MP the problem is of aadivasi workers migrating to Gujarat to work in stone crushing units. Chutta Majdoor Union has listed possible fatalities after returning from Gujarat. Recently Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA), Madhya Pradesh has taken up the issue and doctors in JSA have diagnosed silicosis. A joint follow up in Gujarat and MP was emphasized. Godhra in Gujarat has stone crushers. Khambhat, another site in Gujarat, it is work with agate stones that is causing early deaths due to silicosis. Silicosis affected persons formed organization in 2005 after activity for years in increasing awareness. Propagating dust control mechanisms at source, implementation of legal provisions, Self Help Groups and Insurance (the Janashri scheme). PTRC is consistently involved at both places.

Power plant workers:

OHSA is working for years to get asbestosis, silicosis and noise induced hearing loss diagnosed and compensated by authorities. It is uphill struggle. Joint efforts are needed.

Farmers’ Organization Mettur, TN:

This organization is struggling for years against environmental degradation due to chemical plants at Metur. During and after Indian People’s Tribunal sittings in Mettur, workers’ OH problems also were revealed and followed up. The ESIC causing problems and is not entertaining applications even in case of amputations due to industrial accidents. Joint activities for workers’ issues are needed.

Delhi Suraksha Samiti:

Vazirpur is an industrial estate with steel plates and utensils manufacturers. Workers have immense problems due to regular accidents and Occupational Diseases. It is said that on an average one fatal accident takes place daily. Accidents are highly under reported. Medical facilities are not provided, all workers do not get cover of the ESIS though they are entitles. Activity is in initial stages and joint efforts to strengthen efforts are needed.

AITUC Amritsar has been active about OH. Workers’ health check ups and trainings have taken place and now through ESIS many workers are getting compensation. Recently after closure of textile mill and withdrawal of PRIA from OH, activities are on low speed. Individuals who were active are still interested if any one can organize diagnosis camps.

OHSC, Mumbai presented its activities of gaining/wresting compensation from the ESIS, more than 700 workers have earned their right. It has assisted activity at other centers as well. Need for forming affected workers’ organization and joint activities was emphasized.

Khet Virasat Mission, Punjab presented problems due to overuse of pesticides and efforts to reduce this. At this stage workers’ problems due to pesticides are not being highlighted but are recognized by the organization. A People’s Dialogue on this issue on 19th March at Chandigarh was announced. 

ICHRLN, Delhi agreed to be part of legal aspects in the joint efforts ahead.

CEC representative gave report on sewerage workers to some participants. Aditi said “women are also workers. When it is said ‘many women are widowed due to silicosis deaths, it appears that only men are workers. Women workers also suffer due to OH problems.” Pranjal emphasized efforts for prevention than compensation. He thought the movement is compensation centered.

Need for a network was strongly expressed. It was decided to form one. Many groups who wanted to be part of meeting could not come. There will be groups who can become part of this joint effort. All such groups need to be contacted.

This network will be mainly for drawing from each other’s experience, expertise strengths and moral support. It will not be useful as a source of funds. With the first intent each small group discussed possible contribution to the network. A detailed list as reported by organizations and individuals will be sent later. For now, PTRC will be the processing house for the network. It will send report of this meeting to all participants. A membership fee of 100 rupees was proposed and passed.

Immediately a meeting of group working on issue of silicosis took place. Joint efforts in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh were chalked out.

It depends on all of us to be consistent and maintain our enthusiasm.