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Chandigarh, November 4 (IANS) The Haryana Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report related to the death of two people in a septic tank in Hisar district.
Two workers, Somveer and Virendra, employed at a hotel in Hansi city were forced to enter the septic tank without protective gear after the sewer motor broke down, reports said.
One employee became unconscious as soon as he entered the tank, while another attempted to save him but also became unconscious. Both of them probably died due to exposure to poisonous gases inside the tank. The relatives of the deceased have blamed the hotel management for this incident and accused it of negligence and force.
According to the report and preliminary information received by the Rights Commission, the workers were instructed to enter the septic tank without oxygen cylinders, gas tests or any protective equipment.
The families alleged that the hotel management ignored safety standards and human dignity by forcing them into a dangerous environment.
A full bench of the Rights Commission, comprising Chairman Justice (Retd) Lalit Batra and members Kuldeep Jain and Deep Bhatia, said that under Article 21 of the Constitution, the right to life also includes the right to a safe, healthy and respectable workplace. Employers and state authorities have a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of workers from life-threatening hazards in the workplace.
The Supreme Court held that the right to health and medical care is a fundamental right under Article 21, read with Articles 39(c), 41 and 43, which makes the life of workers meaningful and dignified.
The Division Bench of the Rights Commission found that the hotel management had failed to provide necessary safety measures, trained staff, rescue arrangements and mechanical cleaning systems, thereby violating the workers’ rights to life, health, safety and dignity.
Allowing workers to work in dangerous conditions without safety equipment is a clear violation of human rights.
The Division Bench found that the human rights of the deceased were clearly violated and the employer and the concerned authorities failed in their constitutional and statutory duties with respect to labor protection.
The Commission has directed the Deputy Commissioner to submit a detailed report within six weeks on the relief, compensation and rehabilitation measures provided or approved to the families of the deceased, the commission’s protocol, information and public relations officer Punit Arora said on Tuesday.
Also, the Superintendent of Police was directed to submit a report within six weeks on the FIR lodged, allegations made and the status of the investigation.
The rights panel has listed the case for next hearing on December 17.
–IANS
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