Report finds major lapses in the implementation of labour laws on occupational health

Read More: A just-released report, “Invisible Victims of Development – Workers’ Safety and Health in Asia” regrets that more than 90% of the Indian labour force (own account workers, the workers in power consuming enterprises with less than ten workers and non- power consuming enterprises with less than 20 workers) fall outside the purview of the Factory Act – and the agate workers of Gujarat are no exception. Report, prepared for the Asia Monitor Resource Center, Hong Kong, regrets, “The agate workers, who cut, grind, polish and carve agate stones into ornamental items either at their homes or in small sweatshops are exposed to silica dust causing high incidence of various lung diseases, as serious as silicosis. They are not covered under any act.”