As many as 3,941 workers died in factories during 2012-14 period, the government told Lok Sabha on Monday, adding that various initiatives are being implemented for safety at work place, including plans to amend the Factories Act.
Minister of State for Labour and Employment Bandaru Dattatreya said the government is aware of the various issues concerning safety, health and environment at work place, especially in the manufacturing sector.
"Various schemes are being implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Employment for the safety, health and environment at work place of workers," he said while replying to questions.
As per provisional data available for 2014, Dattatreya said as many as 26,314 fatal and non-fatal injuries in factories were reported during that year.
Out of them, 1,141 suffered fatal injuries or death, he said, adding in 2013, as many as 1,417 people died while the number stood at 1,383 in 2012.
During the three-year period from 2012 to 2014, the total number of fatal and non-fatal injuries in factories stood at 84,518.
These figures stood at 28,380 and 29,824 respectively in 2013 and 2012.
"As far as the fatal accidents are concerned, 2012 was the worst year. During 2012, 1,383 fatal accidents took place... Our effort is to see that the number of these fatal accidents is reduced. We are trying our level best to achieve that," he said.
The government is committed to the working class and their welfare, he added.
Dattatreya said that earlier this month three people died in an accident at Singareni Colliery, Telangana. "We have given Rs 67 lakh as compensation to a worker. Another worker, Hanumantha Rao was given Rs 57 lakh and another worker was given Rs 58 lakh.
"We are providing other benefits also. In order to ensure that these accidents do not take place, we are considering amending the Factories Act also," he noted.
