Source: https://epaper.thehindu.com/ccidist-ws/th/th_delhi/issues/60627/OPS/GHMC239ES.1+GLVC25KUU.1.html
A platform of 10 Central trade unions has expressed anguish over the failure of authorities to take responsibility for the Silkyara tunnel collapse in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Forty-one workers have been trapped in the tunnel since November 12.
In a joint statement here on Wednesday, the trade unions said accidents at workplaces exposed the weaknesses of laws with regard to the safety of workers and brought to light the violations of existing laws. They urged the Centre to withdraw the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code and ratify the International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions on health and safety.
The trade unions alleged that the Centre sent a team very late to monitor the rescue operations. “The other workers are telling that the escape routes/tunnels, which are compulsory to meet such emergency situations in construction of long tunnels, were not even planned,” the joint statement said. “There should be a thorough probe into the laxity at any level, right from tendering to various other stages of work of the tunnel,” they said, and asked the Centre to convene the Indian Labour Conference at the earliest to address the concerns of workers.
The Construction Workers Federation of India, in a separate statement, said the accident was a result of the profit-hungry development models and policies pursued by the “neo-liberal” BJP governments.
“The law enforcement mechanism has failed in ensuring that the safety directions are followed,” CWFI general secretary U.P. Joseph said.
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