The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the authorities to ensure the release of compensation to the family of four migrant workers killed in an accident at a plywood factory near Perumbavur.
Dhaneswar Swain, Ashok Kumar Das, Haldhar Das and Sahadev Patra died of burn injuries suffered during a blast at Seepison Ply Board Factory in April last year.
On noticing that no concrete steps were taken to render assistance to the bereaved families, the commission, led by acting chairperson Cyriac Joseph, conducted an inquiry on Thursday.
As part of it, the NHRC team held a meeting with the District Labour Commissioner to check the status of gratuity payment to the families. During the meeting, the official assured to release the gratuity within 15 days by collecting and necessary details from the EPF authorities.
The NHRC team also visited the factory to check whether the labour laws had been implemented properly or not and noticed noncompliance of some of the provisions of Minimum Wages Act, 1948 and the Factories Act, 1948. Following this, the Assistant Labour Officer, Perumbavur, has issued notice to the employer, directing to pay arrears of wages with immediate effect.
