ADDRESS BY SHRI K.R. NARAYANAN, VICE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE XIII WORLD CONGRESS ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 1993          

I am happy to be with you at the opening ceremony of the Thirteenth World Congress on "Occupational Safety and Health". May I congratulate the National Safety Council for organizing this Congress in collaboration with the International Labour Organization and the International Social Security Organization.
 
It is a matter of great satisfaction for us that this Congress is being held for the first time in a developing country, and that India has been given the privilege of hosting it. May I extend a hearty welcome to the 700 odd international delegates from fifty countries and nearly the same number of national delegates who have assembled here to attend the Congress. We are honoured by your presence in this historic capital city of Delhi.
 
This impressive participation is evidence of the importance that the international community attaches to the safety and health of the worker in modern society. In the early stages of the industrial revolution neither the wages and welfare nor the safety and health of the worker was a matter of priority attention by governments and owners of capital. With the rise of social consciousness among the people, the organization of the working class, the emergence of the welfare state and the advancement of democracy, the rights of the worker for occupational safety and health were recognized not only on humanitarian grounds but on the basis of economic necessity and social equity. In the present era of economic liberalisation in the world, especially in the developing countries going through the first phase or the early second phase of industrialization, the welfare aspect of labour has assumed even greater importance. We talk of "the social safety net" these days. Occupational safety and health of the worker, interpreted in the larger sense of the words, ought to be at the core of this approach. Labour is no longer fodder for the Satanic mills of old style industries nor mere cogs in the hightech industrial system that has now emerged.
 
To-day technology has helped in alleviating the drudgery and monotony of factory work, in improving safety and providing a better and healthier environment at the workplace. To some extent newer technologies have themselves found remedies for some of the ill effects of technology on labour, working conditions and environment. However, technological development with its inherent unpredictability of what might be invented next poses constant challenges. Therefore, we have to be ever vigilant with regard to new changes in technology which may adversely affect workers, the public and the environment. To-day it is not only a question of protecting the worker or his conditions of work in a factory, but that of the impact of industries and technologies on society as a whole, and, indeed, on other countries across international borders. There are even much larger questions involved in the mindless use of more and more sophisticated machines for almost everything when some of them can be made better and without ill effects by simpler machines or with human hands particularly in highly populated developing countries. There is also the question of the endless multiplication of human wants that technology stimulates and then seeks to satisfy in the voluptuous pursuit of consumerism. How to safeguard the worker, the individual and mankind itself from this blind march of technology and industrialism is a larger and overwhelming question.
 
In the tradition of its humanism India has thought of the safety and health of the worker in society in a comprehensive context. The Indian Machiavelli, Kautilya, who lived 2000 years ago, held that "all stand protected in the protection of self" and that "work hazards should be removed by skill". In keeping with this tradition the Constitution of India has incorporated in it several principles to be followed by the State in regard to conditions of work and environment. One of the Directive Principles of the Constitution lays down that the State shall direct its policy towards protecting the health and strength of workers, men and women, and ensuring that the tender age of children are not abused. It is also directed that just and humane conditions of work are secured for women and maternity relief provided. There are also provisions that the State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wild life of the country. On their part, citizens are required to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures.
 
I am happy to say that the Government of India have been giving serious attention to all the aspects of occupational safety and health of workers. The first Factories Act was enacted in the year 1881 to protect the workers from physical and health hazards. The Act was amended from time to time culminating in the Factories Act of 1948 which is presently in force. Since then major amendments in the Act have been carried out to deal with problems thrown up by chemical and other hazardous industries. Provisions concerning permissible levels of certain chemical substances in the work environment were also incorporated in the Act. In regard to nuclear reactors for generation of electricity strict regulations have been prescribed for maintaining radiation levels within permissible international limits. Indeed the safety systems for our reactors are some of the most foolproof in the world for safeguarding the health of workers. In 1986 the Environmental (Protection) Act was adopted in line with modern developments in the world. The Central and State Governments have inspection agencies to oversee the implementation of this and other related statutes. I understand that in order to strengthen the inspection agencies our Ministry of Labour has executed technical projects in collaboration with the International Labour Organization and the United Nations Development Programme.
 
With more and more sophisticated machinery and processes being introduced at workplaces, the need is increasing for more reliable safety and health devices and practices. As industrial developments cannot be arrested, we have to ensure that such progress does not leave a trail of human sufferings or endanger the environment as a whole. The Bhopal tragedy in India and the Chernobyl disaster in the former Soviet Union have been warnings which can be ignored only at our peril. Whether it is for protection against industrial hazards or against the danger of the green house effect and ozone depletion it is essential that there is transfer of the latest technologies from the advanced to the developing countries on an affordable basis -- indeed through an international funding system. Such technology transfer has become a crucial aspect of the safety and health of the worker as well as of society.
 
To be effective in the circumstances of the modern world the system of occupational safety and health has to be integrated to the national development plans of individual countries as well as to a global arrangement. One requires institutional machinery such as regulatory agencies and training and research institutions in the field. There should also be full co-operation between governments, employers and employees. There is also the need for a vigilant and informed public. The members of the public have a right to know what steps industry is taking to safeguard the health of workers and what are the responsibilities of the public in case of an accident at hazardous industrial establishments.
 
I should like to single out one problem in this context, viz. the problem of child labour. In this age of progress and educational enlightenment it is ironic that child abuse has become a new phenomenon even in some advanced countries. Elimination of child labour is a major problem for most developing countries. The Indian Constitution stipulates that no child below the age of fourteen years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment. Full implementation of this provision is linked to social and economic factors. We are determined to overcome such obstacles. It is a matter of satisfaction that the I.L.O. is extending assistance to deal with this difficult socio-economic problem. I am glad that within the framework of this Congress a workshop on hazards to safety and health of working children has been planned. Elimination of child labour and hazards to the health of working children is a noble objective to which this Congress can make a contribution.
 
This Congress is an assemblage of experts and concerned representatives of nations in the field of industrial health and safety. There is available in this assembly a wealth of experience and expertise on this issue of national and global importance. I am confident that the deliberations at this Congress would contribute significantly towards meeting the challenges in this field. May I wish your deliberations every success, and for all the distinguished delegates a pleasant stay in Delhi.