Labour unions allege Delhi Metro is altering casualty data to avoid paying compensation
Labour unions allege Delhi Metro is altering casualty data to avoid paying compensation
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How many workers died when a gigantic concrete Metro section collapsed on scores of unsuspecting men near East of Kailash on July 13? The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) says five. Labour Unions claim the figure is 10.
The unions are up in arms against DMRC, accusing the organisation of tactfully altering the figures of dead and injured to keep the compensation amount as low as possible. 'Hiding deaths'
The unions are alleging the latest Metro mishap claimed 10 workers and injured more than 29. One of the bigger unions, Nirman Majdoor Shakti Sangathan (NMSS),u00a0 has filed a complaint (a copy of which is with MiD DAY) at Amar Colony police station demanding an enquiry against DMRC and Gammon India, the contractor that was working at the East of Kailash site. NMSS has even filed an application under RTI and has received information from DMRC about the number of labourers killed or injured at construction sites.
The DMRC, in its reply to the RTI application (a copy of which is with MiD DAY), said the total number of deaths at Metro construction sites till August 2008 stood at 69 and the number of injured was 52 between 2002 and August 2008. The Nirman Majdoor Shakti Sangathan alleges the DMRC figure is too low.
"According to our estimate, around 150 labourers have died. Many incidents at Metro sites go unreported. Most of the workers come from remote parts of the country and are illiterate or semi-literate and no one cares if they die or are injured. The DMRC has tampered with the figures to keep the amount of compensation it has to pay to labourers to a minimum," said SA Azad, general secretary of NMSS. Inadequate compensation
The unions hold another grudge against DMRC and its contractors. They accuse the organisation of violating the Workers' Welfare Act to escape paying a high compensation to labourers.
"The DMRC has enforced its own rules for compensating workers who sustain injuries or are killed while on duty. The workers are compensated by the DMRC from its Labour Welfare Fund, which is in violation of labour laws. Even though many accidents have occurred, no one has been booked for negligence. If DMRC had booked even one inattentive contractor for negligence, others would have improved their safety measures, saving lives," said Azad.
The union also accuses the DMRC of not keeping its workers informed about the compensation packages. "We conducted a survey at Metro sites and found many workers are not aware they are entitled to any compensation," said Azad.
"The Delhi Metro incident is so big that people are raising questions about it in the West as well. Construction companies in India exploit migrant labourers and this is a major social issue. The government should look into. It should order an investigation. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is a prestigious organization and it should follow the minimum wage norms," said social activist Swami Agnivesh, speaking to MiD DAY from Geneva.
The Metro pays up
Meanwhile, the DMRC on Wednesday paid Rs 50,000 out of the Rs 5,00,000 it had announced as compensation for the families of each of those killed in the accident on July 13.
"Out of Rs 5,00,000, Rs50,000 has been paid as interim relief in cash to the next of kin of each of the six persons who died in the accident. The rest, Rs 4,50,000, will be converted into fixed deposit for three years," a DMRC statement said.
Seven workers, who suffered major injuries, have been paid the full compensation of Rs 50,000 each while eight others with minor injuries were given Rs 10,000 each.
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