NHRC team releases relief to families of deceased labourers in Kerala

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) team on Friday released relief to the families of four deceased labourers in Ernakulam, Kerala by the led by acting chairperson Justice Cyriac Joseph.

The concerned State authorities released all the dues to the next of kin (NoK) of the four labourers, who died of burn injuries sustained after a blast at Seepison Ply Board Factory in Ernakulam district, Kerala on April 16, 2014.

The deceased were Dhaneswar Swain, Ashok Kumar Das, Haldhar Das and Sahadev Patra.

The Commission had decided to conduct an on-the-spot enquiry in the matter when District Collector and Superintendent of Police, Ernakulam did not respond to its notices last year.

The Commission observed that the concerned functionaries did not render necessary assistance to the bereaved families of the deceased labourers.

During the enquiry held on September 10 and 11 by the NHRC team led by the NHRC Acting Chairperson, Justice Joseph, comprising S.S.P., Mr. Pupul Dutta Prasad and Mr. Indrajeet Kumar, A.R. (Law), ADM, Ernakulam, Inspector, PS Perumbavoor, the District Labour Officer, Ernakulam.

The Regional Provident Fund Commissioner informed that after the intervention of the Commission benefits under EPF and EDLI have been extended to all the four deceased labourers and action had been taken to ensure payment of pension to the beneficiaries.

The Regional Director, ESIC reported that the funeral expenses have been paid and immediate action is being taken for the release of temporary disablement benefit and the dependant benefit.

The District Labour Officer reported that the gratuity amount for two labourers has been deposited with the controlling authority.

The team also inspected whether the violations reported earlier had been rectified by the establishment or not. The team observed non compliance of some of the provisions of Minimum Wages Act, 1948 and the Factories Act, 1948.

The Assistant Labour Officer, Perumbavoor has issued notice to the employer for the violation of Minimum Wages Act, 1948 and has directed them to pay arrears of wages with immediate effect. The Inspector of Factories and Boilers has assured that the Inspection Order to comply with the violations noticed during his inspection will be issued to the factory owner immediately.