Context:

• The mine workers of Rajasthan have been fatally affected by silicosis which causes a slow but sure death and in this context the workers have been fighting a battle of recognition since 2018, but so far their demands have not been met.
• For all these years, the workers have been pushing the demand for the formation of the Mine Workers’ Welfare Board, but despite continuous deaths of their colleagues due to silicosis amid absence of safety measures in the work field, the government has not paid heed to their demands.

Key Points:

• Silicosis is a lung disease caused by breathing in tiny particles of silica, a common mineral found in sand, quartz and rocks among others. It mainly affects construction and mining workers.
• According to the managing trustee of Mine Labour Protection Campaign, the board if constituted, will not only provide recognition to the oppressed mine workers but will also open the gates for their welfare.
• It is basically a matter of the government’s political will. There is already a Building and Construction Workers’ Welfare Board in place. Constituting a board on a similar line for mine workers is therefore, not a mammoth task.
• The board, if constituted, will mandate the registration of both mine owners as well as the workers.
• The owners will then be pushed to pool in safety measures for the workers, thus ensuring the gradual reduction and complete abolition of the deadly silicosis.
• The state government, had come up with a policy in October 2019 to bail out silicosis-affected workers and prevention of the disease. However, this policy is still awaiting its implementation.
• As per this policy, there is a provision of immediate financial aid of Rs 3 lakh to a silicosis patient and Rs 2 lakh to the dependents in case of his death, apart from Rs 1,500 monthly pension to the widow of the victim. However, there have been delays in matters of compensation. Official figures show that hardly 10 per cent of the victims have received this aid.
• There are 33,122 quarries in the state across 33 districts where over 25 lakh workers have been working directly or indirectly amid the threat of silicosis with no safety measures in place to protect them from this fatal occupational hazard.
• As per an estimate, 27,463 workers have been recognised as silicosis patients, in addition to 21,000 cases pending medical diagnosis.