Female Factory Workers Protest on Radio; Govt cancels Factory License over EHS violations

In a new & unique form of protest, women garment workers in Tamil Nadu took to radio to  demand better working conditions.

The on-air protesting workers called out inadequate and unhygienic toilet facilities, harassment, long working hours and poor wages, among other challenges. A worker who was unable to access a toilet was constrained to use a corner of a factory, used for dumping waste cotton.

Terming the issues as a serious violation of human rights, the National Human Rights Commission has directed the Directorate of Industrial Health & Safety (DISH) to act against erring employers.

The DISH is said to have served notices to over 200 factories for not providing amenities as per the Factories Act & Rules. The main non-compliance issues include:

• Very few toilets
• Unhygienic conditions of washrooms
• Unavailability of Creches

Compliance Takeaways

• Implement quarterly audits of amenities and welfare measures in Factory premises
• Speak to Workers and take feedback on amenities

17 Factories to be shut over Pollution: Uttarakhand High Court

The Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board (UEPPCB) has issued closure orders on 17 factories, for flouting environmental laws. 

Earlier, the UEPPCB had directed the Uttarakhand Power Corporation to disconnect electricity supply to several factories.

The Uttarakhand High Court in 2018 had asked the UEPPCB to prepare a list of factories who were found to be violating various Air and Water norms, as per reports in the Business Standard.

Following the displeasure as expressed by the State High Court, the Uttarakhand State Administration, led by District Magistrate Deepak Rawat, began the closure-drive in the Haridwar Industrial Estate by closing 4 factories, including Sharda Motors.

As per the Industries Association of Uttarakhand (IAU), the closures could lead to hundreds of people losing their livelihood.

Compliance Takeaways

• Quarterly Environmental Compliance Audit
• Conduct periodic testing and analysis of all effluents from NABL approved laboratory
• Monitor results – identify gaps
• Implement Online Pollution Monitoring System
• Submit periodic compliance reports with the State Pollution Control Board