Delhi: Alipur Factory Fire: Exposing the Realities
Harpal Tyagi
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TEN workers were killed in a massive fire and subsequent explosion that occurred on the morning of February 15, 2024, at a paint factory in Alipur, situated on the northern outskirts of Delhi. This incident is not an isolated one within Delhi's factories. Several other horrific incidents have occurred in recent years, including the Grain Market fire in December 2019 which claimed 43 lives and left 56 injured, the Firecracker Factory blaze in Bawana in January 2018 resulting in 17 fatalities, the Jacket Factory fire in Seelampur in November 2021, and the Mundka tragedy in May 2022 where 27 lives were lost. These incidents, coupled with frequent fires and machinery accidents, underscore the perilous working conditions faced by factory workers in Delhi, who risk life and limb daily while earning meagre wages.
On February 16, an industrial strike took place. Later, a delegation representing the Joint Trade Union Forum of Delhi visited Alipur on February 17. They engaged with local residents, the families of the deceased workers, the officer-in-charge of Alipur Police Station, and the district magistrate of the region, gathering crucial information.
The investigation uncovered that the paint factory operated illegally within a residential zone, utilising hazardous chemicals in its production process. The explosion and ensuing fire were of such magnitude that they not only consumed the factory itself, claiming the lives of its 10 workers and the owner's father, but also inflicted significant damage on 10-12 neighbouring houses and shops. These incidents highlight a prevailing trend wherein the majority of such tragedies occur in clandestine factories. Neither these establishments nor the multitude of workers labouring within them are acknowledged within the government's regulatory framework. Despite generating significant revenue through GST on their products, which are worth crores of rupees, these factories remain in a legal gray area. Operating outside the bounds of the law has become a tactic for owners to circumvent their legal obligations, including providing the mandated minimum wages to their workers.
A memorandum, accompanied by a demand charter, was presented to the district magistrate on February 17. Subsequently, on February 19, the delegation met the joint labour commissioner at the district labour office. Protest actions ensued, commencing at the Alipur DM office and later extending to the office of the labour commissioner in Delhi on February 22. Through sustained efforts and demonstrations by the trade unions, significant progress was achieved during talks concerning the demand charter on February 22. As a result, the labour commissioner was compelled to endorse the following concrete measures aimed at preventing such accidents:
- Factory inspectors and officers will hold meetings at the labour offices of the districts for two days a week to address complaints.
- The district officer has been tasked with submitting a report on the incident within one week, and expediting the distribution of compensation.
- The department of factories will collaborate with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and electricity companies to relocate illegal factories engaged in hazardous production away from residential areas.
- Regular meetings between officials and trade union leaders will be scheduled monthly at the district level and quarterly at the state level.
- In cases of accidents, the labour department will intervene and work on behalf of the workers.
The labour department has been deliberately crippled, with key positions, including those of labour inspectors, remaining vacant. Despite the government designating 29 industrial areas in Delhi, there are only 19 labour inspectors and 11 factory inspectors for the entire city. The department has ceased conducting inspections independently, resulting in prolonged delays even in responding to union complaints. Cases registered under the Factory Act linger unresolved, with minimal penalties and fines, if any, imposed upon disposal. The latest available data reveals a disturbing trend: not a single owner was convicted between 2011-2016. Moreover, the average fine amount is insignificantly low, and the actual fines collected are even lower. This glaring lack of consequences illustrates that owners operate with complete impunity, demonstrating no fear of legal repercussions.
Moreover, the introduction of new labour codes threatens to further dilute existing legal protections for worker safety, exacerbating an already dire situation. Over the past few years, CITU has been actively engaged in addressing these concerns, and these efforts will persist. Delhi's factories must not be allowed to become death traps for workers.
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