AHMEDABAD: Gujarat high court pulled up the Centre
for not replying to court notice over poor work condition of thousands of
labourers, pollution and coastal security at the Aland-Sosiya ship-breaking
yard.
The HC had issued notice in April to all concerned
authorities in response to a PIL filed through advocate Jaysinh Jadeja. The PIL
demanded directions to authorities to improve workers' conditions, to make
medical facilities available in the ship-breaking yard, to reduce pollution and
increase security. The Centre did not reply to the HC Notice saying that the
yard was managed by the Ministry of Steel between 2005 and 2013, and now it is
the Ministry of Shipping looks after the affairs of the yard.
Acting Chief Justice V M Sahai expressed
displeasure on the Centre's mum over the issue and the court asked it to file a
reply to the PIL as a last chance. Further hearing is now kept on January 7,
2015.
The PIL has submitted before the court that the
ship breaking yard in Alang started three decades ago and now it is one of the
largest yards in the world, but it terribly lacks basic facilities for workers.
It sought court's instructions to the association and the authorities to ensure
proper medical and accommodation facilities for the poor workers. The nearest
full-fledged hospital is 50 kilometre away from the ship-breaking yard.
Petitioner's counsel Jaysinh Jadeja contended that emergency medical treatment,
sanitation facilities are guaranteed under the Inter State Migrant Workmen
(Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act.
Nearly 20,000 migrant workers work here and engaged
in hazardous activities, and proper care must be taken of their health and
safety. The PIL has quoted the Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Human
Rights Council, Okechukwu Ibeanu, who visited Alang and said, "I am
shocked by extremely poor conditions in which most workers live in Alang."
Source: times of india. 21 November 2014
No comments:
Post a Comment