Workplace Safety in India: A Crisis of Deregulation and Corporate Negligence
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Indian Economy (Labour Reforms, New Labour Codes); Indian Polity and Governance (Key Legislations like the Factories Act, 1948); Social Issues (Informal Sector Workers).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (Social Justice & Governance): Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population; Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections (Workers); Important aspects of governance.
General Studies Paper 3 (Economy): Indian Economy and issues relating to employment; Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
General Studies Paper 4 (Ethics): Corporate Governance; Ethical responsibility of employers towards their employees.
Key Highlights from the News
Detailed Explanation: Key Concepts
The Factories Act, 1948:
This is India's main law for ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of workers in factories.
The Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984) and its impact:
This tragedy exposed the shortcomings in India's industrial safety laws.
Following this, the Factories Act was amended in 1987, introducing stricter provisions for hazardous industries.
The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSHWC) Code, 2020:
This is one of the four new Labor Codes that consolidate and simplify various labor laws in India.
Criticism: As part of simplification, it weakens many rights under the Factories Act and gives more discretionary power to the executive.
Self-Certification:
This is a system that allows companies to self-certify compliance with laws, instead of inspections by government officials.
Criticism: This eliminates independent oversight and encourages companies to compromise on safety.
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