Welfare of injured workers

WORKERS injured in workplaces remain the worst sufferers in society. The first responsibility for workers maimed in the line of duty rests with their employers. They must provide sustained medical treatment to the victims after having paid reasonable compensation to them. But, unfortunately, no benchmark is set nor any standards followed in providing compensation, a matter calling for urgent attention.

It is, however, the duty of the State, more precisely, the government's labour and social affairs ministry, to care for crippled labour as a priority matter. There are compelling reasons why their welfare should be a national concern. A survey by Safety and Rights Society, a local non-government organisation devoted to improving workplace safety, reveals that 78 percent workers lose ability to work after accidents. And most possibly, they were the only earning members of their families, thus leaving whole households in the lurch. The resulting socio-economic impact is horrifying!

It is high time the concerned ministry or the directorate kept track of the crippled workers, enlisted them for their physical and economic rehabilitation and actually provided the services. Sustained physio-therapy and prosthetic aids should enable them to be re-trained for employment.

The government and the private sector, including corporate houses and NGOs, will have to coordinate policy decisions and action programmes for the rehabilitation of the workers laid off due to accidents.