I am Ponnusamy from TLRF. In last 2 month 3 fire cracker company accidents has happened and death number is more than 15. Sudden deaths are the part of fire cracker worker life. They are used to the condition that whether they will be back to home from work or not. Sivakasi fire crackers has the history of 80 years. 700 fire cracker units are functioning. 1.5 lakhs of direct workers and 50000 hidden workers are working in these companies. Govt officials negligence is the reason for the unsafe working environment. Without anybodies notice, monthly 3-4 accidents are happening. Owners blame workers negligence for these accidents. worker lame that negligence of contractor are the reason for such accidents. But it is to be noted that fire cracker units under contractors control are meeting with accidents often. As per law rubber sheet should be fixed in floor upto 3 kms. But nobody is following it. produced crackers should be kept in separate room. 1948 labour welfare act and 1884 medical act says so many things about safety of worker. Not only that law says to appoint workers above 18 years only should be appointed to work. But we dont know the age of worker. Atleast once in 3 months Deputy Chief Inspector should conduct an inspection without any notice. But nothing is practically happening. Only all these practically happens we can avoid such accidents. Another main thing is we can know about the accident only though cracker sound. There is no police station, fire engine service center, or hospitals near the fire cracker companies. This is not accident. This is murder. Labour welfare board should take the responsibility if these murders. Fire crackers industry with 1.5 lakh of workers is functioning as Non-formal industry. Owner is the main reason for such murders. Labour unions is protesting for those who lost their lives in accidents and those who have survived in fire accidents. survivors life is like a curse. Their skin is shrunk, they lost their hands and legs, they are stuck in their houses. Event he relatives leave them because they are burden now. Many are committing suicide due to this and many are going missing. Govt is not bothered about them.
