Factory Workers' Accidents: Stories of Survival and Neglect

https://theprobe.in/stories/factory-workers-accidents-stories-of-survival-and-neglect-4428920

Unsafe working conditions and systemic neglect plague factory workers in India's industrial sector as they struggle for safety, dignity, and accountability.

Factory Workers in India are the unsung heroes of the country's industrial sector. Millions work in the shadows of the informal economy, grappling with challenges that range from inadequate wages and precarious job security to a lack of social security and subpar working conditions. But perhaps the most harrowing challenge they face is the risk of accidents in workplaces that often operate on the fringes of legality or with scant regard for safety regulations. These workers, when injured, are frequently left to navigate the consequences on their own.

In May 2022, the life of Suchita Saini, a factory worker in Faridabad, was irrevocably altered following a horrific accident. Recounting the day's events, Suchita shares, "I used to operate the press. I was a senior press operator enrolled through an application process. The day my hand was chopped off, I told the foreman that this machine was not working properly and its blocks were loose. He merely told me to use it carefully." Despite Suchita’s warnings, no action was taken and the accident occurred, leading to a devastating injury that would change her life forever.

Suchita's ordeal did not end with the accident. The response of the factory's management to the incident adds insult to injury. "The owner said, 'Take her to Khan to get her treated.' I refused, insisting on going to ESI. They forcefully took me to an unlicensed doctor," Suchita recounts.

Suchita's story is not just a personal tragedy but a stark example of the broader issues facing factory workers in India. It's a narrative of survival against the odds, battling neglect and fighting for justice in the aftermath of workplace accidents.

The story of Suchita Saini is not an isolated incident but a reflection of a widespread problem within India's factory settings, where safety measures are often ignored, and workers' well-being is jeopardised. We spoke to numerous victims who, like Suchita, have suffered severe injuries leading to the tragic loss of limbs. The underlying issue is the blatant negligence towards safety protocols in many factories. These workers, often hailing from impoverished backgrounds, find themselves in a vulnerable position when accidents strike, leading to job termination without any form of compensation and a lack of proper medical care.

Suchita shares further details of her harrowing experience, "Ten people's hands were cut off. They are running the machines with makeshift solutions like allen key bolts. After losing one hand, I feared for my other hand and refused to operate another faulty machine. The response? Threats of physical violence from the foreman." Suchita alleges that her attempt to seek justice was met with resistance, bribes, and outright abuse. "Will the law not hear our plea?" Suchita laments.

The investigation into Suchita's case further revealed a disturbing trend: many workers do not know who their actual employer is, making it nearly impossible to hold anyone accountable. Attempts to reach out to Suchita's employers at J.D Tools and Components in Faridabad for comments were met with evasion and denial. A supervisor, Shambhu, defensively stated, "The company never wants its employees to be sad or to meet with an accident." Yet, when pressed for details about the owner or the victims, another employee, Shakti, admitted, "We are working here. We don't even know who the owner is."

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