INDIA - HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK

 INDIA - HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK 

Introduction a safe and healthy work environment is the basic right of every worker. However, the global situation falls far short of this right. The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that more than 125 million workers are victims of occupational accidents and disease in a single year. Of these approximately 220,000 workers die and about 10 million are seriously disabled.

 

With world population increasing, the above figures are expected to rise significantly if present conditions prevail. The situation is grim in the Third World. About 75 percent of the global workforce lives and works in Third World countries which have so many serious problems like poverty and unemployment that the status of health and safety is very low.

 

There are almost 820 million unemployed people in the Third World.

 

South Asia the South Asian region (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) is a large block in terms of population, natural resources, and gross domestic product. The work force represents more than 20 percent of the world’s working population. Despite rich natural resources countries here have slow economic growth rates.

 

Under the influence of various economic institutions (World Bank, IMF, ADB) countries in the region have shed protectionist economics and started to compete for exports.

 

Liberalization of South Asian economies has opened their markets to global investors who import obsolete and hazardous industries as well as new technology.

 

Industrialization in South Asia focuses on production; health and safety attains a low priority.

 

Promising investors cheap labor and tax concessions, occupational health and safety authorities are bypassed in the process.

 

Workers are denied the right of association, as the zones are rarely accessible to trade unions. India India has a very poor health and safety record. Much legislation exists to protect workers’ rights and health but they are not implemented properly and only an elite of workers enjoy the benefits. Of the total workforce only 8.8 percent are organized.

 

The workforce is abundant, low skilled and easily available and the high rate of unemployment makes them susceptible to exploitation. Getting work is more important than the hazards involved.