Indian workers mistreated in Commonwealth Games preparations

In New Delhi, migrant labourers are rushing to finish construction for the Commonwealth Games in October. But according to a panel set up by an Indian court, the labourers are living and working in "rock-bottom" conditions that violate Indian laws. The committee has filed a report accusing government-appointed companies of denying minimum wages, adequate accommodation, basic equipment and medical care to many of the 17 thousand workers on the Games sites.

Presenter: Murali Krishnan
Speakers: Subodh Kumar Sahu, Indian worker; Mridula Bajaj, executive director Mobile Creche

KRISHNAN: For over six months, Subodh Kumar Sahu, a migrant worker from the northern state of Bihar has stepped up his pace of work at the Commonwealth Games village venue putting in nine hours of work as India's games organising committee scurries to meet its projects deadline. Like Sahu, thousands of migrant workers have travelled to the capital in the hope of getting construction jobs.

Much of the work at the venues for athletics, swimming and weightlifting is being done by more than 400,000 contract daily wage workers. Many have come with their families, including children who are exposed to hazards, lack of proper hygiene and adequate care.

This was confirmed by a monitoring panel that filed a report to the Delhi High Court saying working conditions at the construction sites were poor and many accidents went unreported, while workers continued to work without proper safety gear. The court-appointed committee further said that over 40 workers had been killed building venues for the upcoming Games because of dangerous work sites and for wages less than the minimum rates.

In theory, injured workers are entitled to medical care and compensation, but for most people those particulars exist only on paper. Sahu says he has no option but to carry on with work to meet ends meet.

SAHU: (IN HINDI) It was difficult getting work in the first place but after getting one here we have got no conveniences. It is tough as I have to feed a family and the money is simply not enough.

KRISHNAN: While contractors said the men worked for eight hours every day with a half- day off on Sunday, the committee found workers were made to toil for at least 12 hours without any weekly off in some locations. This has become even harder to check because of new restrictions such as fencing off and closing sites to the public and to inspection.

Women who moved around with their children also faced job discrimination and many live in squalid conditions without electricity, adequate toilet facilities or creches for the children.

Mridula Bajaj, executive director of Mobile Creche which works with construction workers and their children say building contractors have made no provisions for creches.

BAJAJ: Under Indian law there is a provision for cr�ches at work sites so that women can leave their children in a safe place but largely those are not followed by the builders or contractors. Therefore there are very few provisions for children at the work sites. So both children and women suffer a lot when they are working in construction sites.

KRISHNAN: The committee had visited the 10 Games venues - construction sites and workers' camps - before it submitted its indicting report that has brought to light the pitiable conditions of the workers and the breach of various labour laws.

Sunil Lall another construction worker from Uttar Pradesh says the government has to step in to look after workers interests.

LALL: (IN HINDI) The government should be pro-active and look after our interests. There are thousands of workers all over Delhi working at venues and many suffer a lot. At the end of day what do we get, just enough to feed the family. That is it.

KRISHNAN: The slow pace of construction and repeatedly missed deadlines still threatens the world's third largest multi-national sporting event that is scheduled to be held from October 3-14 and feature 71 nations and territories of the old British Empire.

News source http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/connectasia/stories/201003/s2853689.htm