Fire Breaks out at Factory in Delhi’s Bawana

On the intervening night of November 14 and 15, a massive fire broke out at a four-storey plastic factory located in Sector 5 of Bawana industrial area of Delhi. As many as 22 fire engines were called to douse the fire.

Amit, a member of the working committee of Mazdoor Sangarsh Samiti, Bawana (MSSB), told Newsclick, “The fire broke out at around 2 am at the plastic factory. There are no injuries, but workers are scared. Short circuit is expected to be the reason behind the fire.”

As per the sources, there were two workers sleeping inside the factory when the incident took place.

This is not the first time; 28 workers have lost their lives in such incidents in 2018. However, no injuries or casualties have been reported this time. The incident of fire in a factory in Bawana had made it to the national headlines when 17 workers were reportedly charred to death. The fire had caught in its flames all the 30 workers who were trapped inside the factory. However, a few workers managed to jump off the roof.

No safety equipment

Earlier, Newsclick had reported that Delhi Fire Service is short of staff and fire-fighting equipment. As per the sources, Bawana fire station is still short of staff.

Amit said, “The fire station is still short of staff. Although, 22 fire engines came to the spot today, they were called from different places, and it took a little time.”

Workers have also expressed their disappointment over the way they are treated. “There are no safety equipment. Workers are given low wages for risking their lives. We have been protesting for a long time, but there has been no response,” added Amit.

“The incident took place at the plastic factory today, and the nature of the work is such that there is always possibility of fire. But, there is no safety equipment, and the infrastructure of the factory is such that it becomes difficult for the workers to escape at such a critical time,” said a worker.

Workers also said that no labour laws are implemented, and the working conditions are “deteriorating.” “You visit any factory in Bawana industrial area, and you will find workers working at lower wages with paltry wages, risking their lives to feed their families. They are forced to toil for 12 hours, and in case of death of injury, hardly any compensation is paid as such,” said another worker.

As per the reports, 12,000 factory units are functional in Bawana industrial area.