NHRC review meeting on Silicosis
The National Human Rights Commission organized a review meeting on Silicosis on the 10th June, 2011, as a follow-up to the recommendations made in its National Conference on Silicosis early this year on the 1st March. The meeting was chaired by Mr. P.C. Sharma, Member, NHRC. The meeting was attended by State officials and representatives of non-governmental organizations from the States of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and NCT of Delhi; and DGFASLI, Mumbai.
Mr. P.C. Sharma reiterated that Silicosis being a notified disease, it is the duty of the employers to fulfill their obligations under the existing labour legislations and the State functionaries were equally responsible for ensuring proper implementation of these laws for protection of workers employed in hazardous industries. He asked the functionaries of the State Governments to keep on informing the Commission with updated information on the relief, rehabilitation and health care of the victims of Silicosis.
Some of the important points specific to the states represented at the meeting were raised during the meeting.
o Appreciation of Rajasthan Government for earmarking a fund of Rs. 25.60 crore for medical and other facilities for stone quarry workers;
o Drafting of a Bill by the Madhya Pradesh Government to provide respite to all those working in hazardous occupations, in particular, relating to dust;
o Government of NCT of Delhi's efforts to bring out a scheme on Silicosis in the 12th Five Year Plan;
o Gujarat Government asked to deal with cases of Silicosis with a humane approach instead of taking litigational recourse, while deciding the issues relating to payment of monetary relief to the familiesof the victims of Silicosis as recommended by the Commission.
Mr. P.C. Sharma reiterated that Silicosis being a notified disease, it is the duty of the employers to fulfill their obligations under the existing labour legislations and the State functionaries were equally responsible for ensuring proper implementation of these laws for protection of workers employed in hazardous industries. He asked the functionaries of the State Governments to keep on informing the Commission with updated information on the relief, rehabilitation and health care of the victims of Silicosis.
Some of the important points specific to the states represented at the meeting were raised during the meeting.
o Appreciation of Rajasthan Government for earmarking a fund of Rs. 25.60 crore for medical and other facilities for stone quarry workers;
o Drafting of a Bill by the Madhya Pradesh Government to provide respite to all those working in hazardous occupations, in particular, relating to dust;
o Government of NCT of Delhi's efforts to bring out a scheme on Silicosis in the 12th Five Year Plan;
o Gujarat Government asked to deal with cases of Silicosis with a humane approach instead of taking litigational recourse, while deciding the issues relating to payment of monetary relief to the familiesof the victims of Silicosis as recommended by the Commission.