Rights panel comes to aid of migrant labourers

The National Human Rights Commission has directed government authorities to ensure that compensation is paid to the families of four migrant workers killed in an accident at a plywood factory near Perumbavur, in Kerala.

The Hindu reports that Dhaneswar Swain, Ashok Kumar Das, Haldhar Das and Sahadev Patra died of burn injuries suffered during a blast at Seepison Ply Board Factory in April 2014.

However, on noticing that no steps had been taken to assist the victims' families, the Commission, led by acting Chairperson Cyriac Joseph, conducted a follow-up inquiry.

The Commission held a meeting with the District Labour Commissioner to check the status of gratuity payment to the families. During the meeting, the Commission was assured that compensation would be paid within 15 days.

In addition, the Commission visited the factory to check whether the labour laws had been properly implemented and noticed non-compliance of some provisions of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 and the Factories Act, 1948.

As a result of its findings, the Assistant Labour Officer, Perumbavur, issued a notice directing the employer to settle all unpaid wages with immediate effect.

Date: 13 September 2015

Source: The Hindu