An alliance of trade unions and civil society groups have submitted a memorandum to the District Magistrate,
Ghaziabad to draw your attention towards the unaddressed and unresolved issues emerging from the explosion at Bhushan Steel and Strips Limited’s factory on 30th September 2004.

These groups have sought suitable remedial measures to circumvent such incidents in future with special reference to workers safety. Sobha Prasad, ane of the injured workers is in the Intensive Care Unit of Narendra Mohan Hospital in Gaziabad.

The issues in question remind one of 6th March 2001 explosion in the same company when the frozen passivity of district administration allowed the Chairman and Managing Director of the company to continue their hazardous activities with impunity despite criminal neglect of workers safety. It gives an impression that District Administration is hand in glove with the company owners.

Bhushan Steel and Strips Limited company which has a turnover of Rs 1500 crores has never addressed the issue of worker security in any way and has managed to hoodwink law enforcement agencies through over and covert means so far.

It has been claimed by the company that only 10 workers have died but the report of a Fact Finding Team of civil society has revealed that some 32-36 workers died in the explosion. The report based on inquiry of workers, trade unions and villagers has revealed alarming facts which merit accelerated action.


The facts are as under:

More than 5, 000 workers work in Bhushan Steel and Strips Limited’s factories but only 300 workers are on the rolls rest of the workers are on contract

These workers are supposed to work in 12 hours shift
They are paid meager Rs 50 as wage

The company has 54 contractors who employ the workers for the factory

Labor Department has also connived at the violation of the workers rights

In this factory minimum wage, salary slip, attendance register, life insurance, Provident Fund are not taken care of.

Despite the fact that it’s a hazardous factory no safety measures are in place

Workers are made to sign attendance only after duty hours

These are grave issues; therefore the memorandum demands; investigation by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) of the matter, Dead workers correct number should be ascertained, all the dead workers family be given Rs 5 lakh as compensation and Rs 2 lakh for the injured workers, the owners be prosecuted under Criminal laws for culpable homicide instead of negligence and the Contract licence of the company be cancelled