Commonwealth Games Construction Workers Endure Unsafe, Unhealthy Conditions

By Alok Bhatt
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

DELHI, India – As India prepares to host the 2010 Commonwealth games, a multi-sport, multi-national event consisting of over 5,000 athletes and competitions ranging from table-tennis to wrestling, there have been reports stating that the construction workers building the venue for the events endure unconscionably poor working and living conditions.  The a committee of five members of the Delhi High Court has been established to investigate the matter and report on the alleged exploitation of workers.

Construction workers in India generally live and work under derisory conditions.  Employers often fail to reasonably compensate individuals for their work, nor are construction workers provided with adequate amenities.  However, unclean conditions and below minimum wages are among the least of the worries for Indian construction workers.  Construction workers often perform their jobs without proper safety equipment, regardless of the magnitude of the project.

The poor conditions for builders in such a public development reinforces the disregard employers have for the people they assigned to the Common Games venue.   Studies have revealed that numerous workers have been temporarily and permanently disabled due to the haphazard safety precautions and dearth of proper apparatuses.

Furthermore, many employers have arbitrary hired impoverished people from various Indian states to work on the Commonwealth Games stadium.  This creates myriad additional safety issues, as inexperienced and scarcely protected lay people are constantly placing themselves and others, including the more experienced construction workers, at significant risk.  .

Here have also been reports of discrimination and other issue in the payment of the construction workers and others working towards the completion of the Commonwealth Games venue.  It seems women workers have been paid lesser wages than the male workers.  Also, those who have quit working before their time was up have failed to receive timely payment for the work they did complete.

No single entity has been identified as fully liable for the poor conditions of workers in such a significant project.  Although, some have found it appropriate to impose responsibility upon the contractors charged with hiring workers for the project.  The contractors hire migrant workers on contractual terms which deprive the workers from various welfare benefits during the time they work.

Independent reports have revealed over seventy workers have died in the course of the venue construction.  However, reports have not yet revealed how and when remedies will be pursued.

For more information, please see:

BBC News – A Commonwealth shame? – 22 March 2010

ConstructionWeek – Commonwealth chief to to take up Games’ workers deaths in India – 23 March 2010

The Hindu – Workers at Games’ sites getting a raw deal -23 March 2010

As India prepares to host the 2010 Commonwealth games, a multi-sport, multi-national event consisting of over 5,000 athletes and competitions ranging from table-tennis to wrestling, there have been reports stating that the construction workers building the venue for the events endure unconscionably poor working and living conditions.  The a committee of five members of the Delhi High Court has been established to investigate the matter and report on the alleged exploitation of workers.
Construction workers in India generally live and work under derisory conditions.  Employers often fail to reasonably compensate individuals for their work, nor are construction workers provided with adequate amenities.  However, unclean conditions and below minimum wages are among the least of the worries for Indian construction workers.  Construction workers often perform their jobs without proper safety equipment, regardless of the magnitude of the project.
The poor conditions for builders in such a public development reinforces the disregard employers have for the people they assigned to the Common Games venue.   Studies have revealed that numerous workers have been temporarily and permanently disabled due to the haphazard safety precautions and dearth of proper apparatuses.
Furthermore, many employers have arbitrary hired impoverished people from various Indian states to work on the Commonwealth Games stadium.  This creates myriad additional safety issues, as inexperienced and scarcely protected lay people are constantly placing themselves and others, including the more experienced construction workers, at significant risk.  .
Here have also been reports of discrimination and other issue in the payment of the construction workers and others working towards the completion of the Commonwealth Games venue.  It seems women workers have been paid lesser wages than the male workers.  Also, those who have quit working before their time was up have failed to receive timely payment for the work they did complete.
No single entity has been identified as fully liable for the poor conditions of workers in such a significant project.  Although, some have found it appropriate to impose responsibility upon the contractors charged with hiring workers for the project.  The contractors hire migrant workers on contractual terms which deprive the workers from various welfare benefits during the time they work.
Independent reports have revealed over seventy workers have died in the course of the venue construction.  However, reports have not yet revealed how and when remedies will be pursued.

Author: Impunity Watch Archive