Recent incident
An explosion of a reactor in a chemical factory in the Dombivli Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) area in May 2024 resulted in the loss of lives and injuries to workers and people.
It also caused damage to factories, shops and residencies in the neighbourhood.
Poor inspections
In 2021, in Maharashtra, 1,551 of 6,492 hazardous factories were inspected, i.e., a 23.89% inspection rate.
And, 3,158 out of 39,255 registered factories were inspected, i.e., an 8.04% inspection rate.
The situation is no better in two other top industrial States Tamil Nadu & Gujarat
The poor inspection rates could also be due to a shortage of personnel and heavy workload of the inspectors among other reasons
The data provides that labour market governance through the labour inspection system is weak and does not perform efficiently.
Given the vast universe of inspection, the inspectors may “target” and “harass” several factories/establishments, exhibiting state power and also attempting to secure bribes.
Way forward
Reforms of the inspection system are necessary but not of the kind initiated in most States in response to employer criticism.
Self-certification, randomised inspections, online inspections, and third-party certification have been introduced by ruling political parties at the all-India level and in many States.
These changes violate several articles in the ILO’s Labour Inspection Convention (081), 1947.
According to the Convention, there must be sufficient qualified and well-provided inspectors and they shall enter the establishments freely and without prior notice at any time to secure due compliance of the labour laws, among others.
Instead of liberalising the inspection system, governments must ensure a strong labour market governance by implementing the provisions of the ILO Convention.
Given the fast-paced changes taking place in technology, and the use of hazardous and chemical substances, the increased need for inspection is felt.
Inspectors can both “inspect” and “facilitate” due compliance of laws by providing suitable advice to employers and unions.
This is recognised by the ILO Convention.
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