IT is shocking to note that there are frequent accidents and subsequent loss of workers lives at NLC plants. 6 contract workers lost their lives this time also on 1st July 2020, because of explosion of 210 MW boiler at Thermal station 2. 17 persons were injured seriously and admitted in hospital includes permanent workers, staff members and officers. It shows utter negligence on the part of the highly profitable Navratna Central Public Sector management. Very recently on May 7th 2020 some 5 workers succumbed to their injuries in another such accident. If management was vigilant after May 7th Accident they would have averted this. There are revelations of a big scam by top brass of the NLC management including its Managing Director running into several crores of rupees. We demand an immediate judicial enquiry into the accidents and punishment of those who are responsible. Factory accidents such as those at NLC and Vishakhpatnam Polymer shows the need for strict enforcement of all safety laws of the land and also how dangerous it is to do away with safety laws. So, Government should not play with the existing system of enforcement mechanism of factory safety laws. Recently the Modi Government came out with a circular stating that, instead of enforcement agencies inspecting factories on safety aspects, it is enough if employers self certify their compliance. Accidents are fall out of such moves by Modi government.
AICCTU has demanded:
- Rs 1 crore compensation for the deceased workers and permanent employment for one person from the family.
- Rs 50 Lakh compensation for those with severe burn injuries.
- 1000s of permanent vacant posts have to be filled up with contract workers and also all contract workers have to be regularised.
- In the back ground of recurring fatal accidents, It is imperative to build confidence among workers at work place. A technical expert team should be formed to probe all flaws in safety by shutting down the unit.
- Release white paper on accidents as well as Scams by high echelons of NLC by constituting public enquiry.
- All top level executives of the unit responsible for the safety measures are to be placed under suspension until enquiry is completed and criminal prosecution initiated against them.
