As many as 96 per cent of the workers employed in large-sized processing factories situated in Narol — a garment and textile industry hub in the south-eastern periphery of Ahmedabad – were employed without any written agreements. The workers paid either in cash daily or on a per piece rate, a survey by NGO Aajeevika Bureau revealed.
The report is based on surveys, interviews and discussions with 95 workers employed in such institutions. Out of the other findings, 83 per cent of workers said they were without social security cover. Around 98 per cent of the workers reported they were working in 12-hour shifts, with no overtime compensation and often unpredictable timings.
The surveyed workers also complained of unbearable heat at their workplace. As many as 97 per cent of the workers said they were in regular contact with harsh chemicals, without any protective gears, that would cause burns and irritation to skin, eyes, nose and throat.
The report specifies that such working conditions were in contraventions of sections 13 & 14 of the Act that require the effective measure to prevent inhalation of impurities as well as provision of adequate ventilation and temperature regulation in every workroom.
As many as 71% of workers also reported working around live wires. The report claimed that despite the rule that work premises are to be equipped with fire extinguishers, 47% reported that extinguishers were not routinely services and tested.
