A devastating explosion in a chemical factory in Dombivli, Maharashtra, in May 2024 tragically claimed lives and injured workers, highlighting the urgent need for a robust industrial safety system in India. The incident, which also caused damage to nearby factories, shops, and residences, is not an isolated occurrence. Newspaper reports reveal a disturbing trend of frequent fatal industrial accidents in recent years, particularly in 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2023. The Maharashtra government, despite announcing compensation for victims and promising to relocate 156 chemical factories from the Dombivli MIDC area to Patalganga in 2022, has failed to act decisively. Adding to the tragedy, the boiler involved in the explosion was not even registered under the Indian Boiler Regulations, 1950, further exposing the loopholes and negligence within the system.
The root of this crisis lies in the deeply flawed labor inspection system across India. Statistics reveal alarmingly low inspection rates: in Maharashtra, only 23.89% of hazardous factories and 8.04% of registered factories were inspected in 2021. The situation is similarly dire in other industrial states like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, with overall inspection rates falling significantly below the national average. These dismal numbers are attributed to several factors, including a severe shortage of inspectors and an overwhelming workload. The inadequate number of sanctioned officers, coupled with the low appointment rate, creates a situation where inspectors are burdened with inspecting hundreds of factories annually, rendering comprehensive oversight impossible.
This lack of thorough inspections further undermines the deterrent effect of prosecution. While the prosecution rate for labor violations is higher in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu than in Gujarat, it remains significantly low across the board. The system, therefore, fails to effectively enforce safety standards and hold employers accountable.
The shortcomings of the labor inspection system are not lost on employers, who often criticize it as an “inspector-raj” characterized by harassment and corruption. While this criticism cannot be entirely dismissed, the stark statistics demonstrate a systemic failure that extends far beyond individual misconduct. The president of the Maharashtra Industry Development Association admitted in May 2024 that safety inspections and certifications are often conducted on an “understanding” between auditors and factory owners, highlighting the complicity of both parties in perpetuating unsafe practices.
In response to employer criticism, governments across India have implemented reforms like self-certification, randomized inspections, online inspections, and third-party certification. These changes, however, directly contradict the International Labour Organization’s Labour Inspection Convention (081) of 1947, which emphasizes the need for independent and qualified inspectors with the authority to conduct unannounced inspections to ensure compliance with labor laws. Instead of weakening the inspection system, India needs to strengthen it by fully implementing the provisions of the ILO Convention.
The rapid advancements in technology and the increased use of hazardous substances necessitate a robust inspection system. Inspectors can play a crucial role in both enforcing safety regulations and providing guidance to employers and unions on best practices. Ultimately, the government has a fundamental duty to ensure a safe working and living environment for its citizens. This requires meaningful reforms to create an efficient and ethical labor inspectorate that effectively safeguards worker safety and holds both employers and government officials accountable. The recurrence of devastating industrial accidents exposes a lack of learning and a failure to prioritize worker well-being. It is time for India to move beyond mere lip service and implement robust, evidence-based reforms that truly prioritize worker safety.
