In a devastating incident on August 23rd, an under-construction railway bridge gave way in the Sairang region of India’s Mizoram State, claiming the lives of 23 construction workers. Tragically, many of these workers were migrants hailing from West Bengal. Responding swiftly to this catastrophe, the Ministry of Railway has initiated an immediate investigation into the incident and pledged to provide INR 1 million in compensation to each victim’s family.
This tragic event represents the latest in a distressing series of infrastructure mishaps across India, placing the lives of countless laborers and civilians in jeopardy. According to reports from BWI trade union affiliates, the root causes of such accidents often lie in government negligence and inadequate enforcement of labor regulations, especially those pertaining to workplace health and safety.
A poignant example of this issue occurred just a month earlier, on August 1st, when a girder machine collapse at the Samruddhi Expressway construction site resulted in the tragic deaths of 17 individuals, including workers, engineers, and technicians. In response, the government has taken legal action against the project’s subcontractor.
BWI’s Indian affiliates have emerged as staunch advocates for worker safety, consistently condemning both government and employer negligence. They have pointed to the use of sub-standard materials, design flaws, structural deficiencies, and a disregard for health and safety measures as key contributors to such incidents. These trade unions argue that the implementation of accident prevention strategies and the establishment of participatory health and safety committees could have averted unnecessary injuries and loss of life.
Dr. R C Khuntia, Chair of BWI’s Indian Affiliates Council, emphasized the urgency of prioritizing occupational health and safety (OHS) in workplaces. He stated, “We cannot stand idly by as preventable workplace accidents continue to harm and claim the lives of our fellow workers. As trade unionists, we must consistently emphasize the importance of OHS and work toward safer workplaces. We have been tirelessly raising this issue on various platforms, including dialogues with both central and state governments. Strengthening our tripartite and social dialogues is essential to establish clear lines of responsibility and accountability.”
