Constitutional Rights and Plight of Mining Labours

Constitutional Rights and Plight of Mining Labours

Every citizen has a right to live life with the dignity as per the constitution of India (Article 21). Its also ensure the healthy working condition to every worker or labours (Article 42), who are working any place in the country. But, these acts are not proper implementing at any place in the country. For example, mines.

Rajasthan is within first 10 statesin the country in mining sector. There are 33000 mines (sand-stones, asbestos, soap-stone, mica, granite, coal), and 25 lakh workers are working in present condition according to government data. But, 98% workers are belonging to Scheduled castes and Scheduled tribes, which are marginalized communities, exploited from upper castes. Most of the workers are migrated at mines place from other areas of Rajasthan. They are staying near by mines or outside of villages. Because, they don’t allow in the village or near by upper caste societies. Where they are working and staying, there is lack of resource or basic needs.

We observed Jodhpur mining areas, and did some pilot studies about the plight of Dalit and Tribal people. They don’t have the basic things. The first thing there is happening a discrimination from upper caste and mines owner at mines place. They don’t have pakka house and electricity. There is no school facilities for their children. Also, they don’t have consciousness about the education. Therefore, their children working in the same condition. At the mining place, there is no safety instrument for the labours safety. Pure drinking water is not available at the mining place. Proportion of air pollution is raising day to day. That’s why health issues are raising day by day, so most of the worker died by silicosis, asbestosis and other diseases, which are caused by mines dust. By the reason of lack of awareness of their health.

Government working from 2015 for them through the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojna (PMKKKY) on district level issues through DMFT (District Mineral Foundation Trust). Also, Mine Labour Protection Campaign (MLPC) and Human Rights Commission working from 20 years, for the labour rights, but there is no any constructive or basic change. By the reason of mainstream social work perspective.

There is need to awareness of their dignity, education, rights-law and movement for change by the way of Ambedkarite vision.

Sharad D. Kodane