IN mid-April, the Pondicherry government awarded a compensation of Rs.6.3 lakhs to 18 silicosis-affected former employees of a glass factory in the Union Territory following pressure from the media, trade unions and political parties. The media, while reporting the death of seven women affected by silicosis caused by working in the factory, brought out the plight of many others in various stages of the disease (Frontline, April 11) in Villianur and Arumparthapuram villages, near Pondicherry.
The seven women who died of silicosis were between the ages of 18 and 23. They and hundreds of others affected by the disease worked in the sand plant (where silica is sieved) and the batch house (where the sieved material is segregated) of Ace Glass Containers Limited at Thondamanatham, 15 km from Pondicherry. A fatal occupational disease affecting the lungs, silicosis is caused by exposure to silica that is used in glass-making.
It took several months and the death of some workers before the link between the failing health of the former employees and the nature of their work was established. Even when the link was made, the management argued that it had not employed the workers (the company has changed hands several times), and therefore could not be held responsible for their deaths. Further, it argued that the processes involving silica sand had since been automated. But, mounting pressure forced the company to agree to the government's decision on compensation.
The government too wanted to establish clearly the relationship between the ill-health of the former workers (mostly women) and their work in the factory before taking any action. That seven people had died of silicosis and every one of those who had worked in the factory's silica sand processes was afflicted with the disease was, seemingly, not proof enough.
Media, trade unions and political parties took up the issue with the Labour Department, which is mandated with safeguarding the health of all workers in the Union Territory. The Labour Department feigned ignorance, saying that it had no clue of the occupational hazard as it was not informed by the company. But the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) produced a copy of its 1999 letter to the Labour Department warning it of the occupational hazards faced by the workers in the factory, and urging it to take precautionary measures.
The government set up a committee to inquire into the matter. An expert committee, consisting of scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras and Anna University, was set up to suggest ways to mitigate the ill-effects of the processes involving silica sand.
The government announced a compensation of Rs.6.3 lakhs to the 18 affected people admitted at the Government General Hospital, of whom seven were classified as "severely affected" and given Rs.50,000 each; six were identified as "moderately affected" and given Rs.30,000 each; and five were classified as "mildly affected" and given Rs.20,000 each.
Asks S. Sivakumar of the CITU: "But this is still only a part of the story. What is the government's response to the families of those who died of silicosis and to the hundreds of others who are suffering from the disease?"
Sushila and Selvaraj of Villianur village, whose daughter S. Kavitha died of silicosis last year, is fighting to save their other daughter, S. Chitra, who has been suffering from the disease for one year. Asks Selvaraj: "We sent our children to work in the glass factory so that we can live comfortably. Ironically, it is precisely for that reason that we have become paupers and are in severe debt today. Can the government not see the link?"
Poorani (55) of Arumparthapuram village, who is unable to speak even a sentence without becoming breathless, cannot understand why she has not been given any compensation. She has been in and out of hospital for the past one year and has sold whatever jewellery she had to meet the cost of treatment. She cannot afford even a proper meal a day, leave alone treatment for silicosis. There are hundreds of others like Poorani in Villianur and Arumparthapuram villages who have sold all that they had, borrowed heavily for treatment, and are disillusioned today, just waiting for the inevitable.
Asha KrishnakumarCOMMents
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