–LG POLYMERS FACTORY CEEATING DISASTER, SHOULD BE WOUND-UP IMMEDIATELY.
–COMPENSATION IN FINANCE TERMS IS NOT A SOLUTION TO LOSE OF HUMAN LIFE, BECAUSE IT IS A SOCIAL ISSUE.
–DEMANDING TO CONSTITUTE A JUDICIAL ENQUIRY COMMITTEE TO FIND OUT REASONS FOR PRESANT DISASTROUS.
THE EXPERTS COMMITTEE SHOULD BE CONSTITUTED IMMEDIATELY TO STUDY & FIND OUT SUCH INDUSTRIES IN VIEW OF TO WINDING UP OR VECATE FROM RESIDING AREAS.
IT IS NOT ONLY NEGLIGENCE OF FACTORY MANAGEMENT, IT’S A SIGN OF INDUSTRIAL TERRORISM.
ALL INDUSTRIES AND FACTORIES SHOULD BE SCRUTINISED BY CONCERNED AUTHORITIES PRIOR TO REOPENING AFTER LONG LOCK DOWN, IN VIEW OF TO AVOID SUCH ACCIDENTS/ INCIDENTS.
A very big industrial accident took place today i.e. 7-5-2020 in Vishakhapatnam i.e. VIZAG, AP, which resulted in loss of 11 human lives, till now. The name of said factory is LG Polymers India Ltd., which produces raw material for synthetic products. It is wholly owned by a South Korean COMPANY. The gas leak incident took place, at mid night between 2 am to 3 am today. The poisonous gas called is called Styrene. It got leaked and spread fast to surrounding areas, which are highly populated. The people were affected seriously. Thousands of people had started to run from their homes at the time of sun rise and even before. Hundreds of people were became unconscious and later admitted in hospitals. It was initially announced that it affected up to a radius of 3 km. But later, this radius was extended more.
Actually, this factory was closed during the lock down period. After, Central Govt’s exemptions, it was reopened. The usual practice of maintenance, which is to be undertaken prior to reopening, was going on. As we know, except handful concerned mechanical workers, the general workmen have not joined duties yet. So, the major loss of lives of workers was avoided.
Since more than two decades, the North Andhra, particularly Sea shore area of bay of Bengal, covering of districts of SREEKAKULAM, VIZIANAGARAM & VIZAG, is becoming a dumping yard with highly polluted industries. The pharma and other chemical industries have been established in a big way at cost of lives of peasants, agrarian coolies, fishermen, tribals & slum dwellers. By it, industrial accidents became a common trend. In recent years, in AUROBINDO PHARMA, DAVIES PHARMA, NAGARJUNA FERTILISER COMPANY —— — — to give a few examples, such major industrial disastrous accidents have occurred.
Almost all Trade Unions raised their voices against such happenings. But their response has not been consistently & united. IFTU played a very active role, mainly in Aurobindo pharma co. limited and Nagarjuna fertiliser co. There is a strong opinion in minds of people of concerned affected areas, that a united movement should be built against such big industries; to vacate those units from there.
The chief minister of AP visited Vizag today. On occasion of his visit, he had announced, Rs. one crore to be given to each family of every deceased person. It is being propagated that it is very big amount. But IFTU AP state committee felt strongly that the compensation amount is not a solution to it. It is a social issue. It is a sign of industrial terrorism. Such problem shouldn’t be avoided or averted through payment of money. The quantity of payment of compensation is not a matter. The quality of industrial disaster is a real problem. So IFTU thinking in comprehensive angle that such incidents or accidents shouldn’t be repeated.
Since years together, there are vacancies in Labour department and Factories department. No recruitment is taking place in said vacancies. The state of pollution board is also the same. All the govts since decades are continuing this policy in a conscious way. They are serving corporate companies in a naked way. This is a show game of every ruler, soon after such type of industrial disasters takes place. Yes, story of compensation comes onto dais to play once again. It is a part of game or drama. Now also repeating it in same way as usual.
IFTU AP state committee is condemning it. Moreover, we are raising following demands.
1-The First task of state and central govts is to wind up the said LG polymers company, which is located in highly populated area.
2-A Judicial Enquiry should be constituted immediately with sitting judges to find out reasons for this incident. This enquiry should be completed within 3 months.
3-One Experts’ committee should be constituted immediately to study and find out such industries in all industrial areas all over the state, mainly in Vizag, the industrial capital of new AP. The aim is to remove such industries from residential areas.
4-All industries should be scrutinized by concerned authorities to avoid such incidents or accidents, prior to reopening after long closure due to lock down.
5-The vacancies should be filled immediately basing on requirements in Labour department and Factories department and also pollution control board.
6-Brainstorming should be undertaken in society to make this issue a main agenda, through all party meetings, special Assembly meeting. All Trade unions should be taken into consideration to discuss it.
We hope that AP govt as well as Central govt should take all measures to fulfill abovelisted justified demands. We resolve to act on war footing to move forward in this direction.
Prasad, President Polari, General Secretary
INDIAN FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS, AP STATE COMMITTEE
7-5-2020, VIJAYAWADA, AP.
