Tamil Nadu's OSH framework for unorganised workers remains on paper

Tamil Nadu is yet to put in place a comprehensive occupational safety and health (OSH) framework for workers in the unorganised sector, even as the state's migrant labour population continues to grow across sectors. Over the past five years, at least three meetings bringing together all stakeholders were convened to address the safety and health concerns of these workers, but a dedicated policy or set of guidelines has not materialised. Health officials said several recommendations remain on paper.

Nearly a decade ago, the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services set up the Occupational, Social and Environmental Health Wing to handle screening, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and compensation for unorganised sector workers, including those in micro, small and medium enterprises and inter-State migrant workers. Acting on its proposal, the Health department formed State and district-level inter-department co-ordination committees along with 21 disease and speciality-specific expert committees. The wing was later designated the State Nodal Centre for Occupational Health and Safety of Unorganised Workers (SNC-OSH).

The State Planning Commission convened meetings on OSH for unorganised sector workers, where various aspects were discussed. A wider stakeholder consultation involving trade union representatives, employers, NGOs and unorganised workers was suggested, and the need to formulate a policy was planned based on the recommendations. No headway was made.

Among the key focus areas was the health of unorganised sector workers. Officials raised the need to include basic occupational health services and universal health coverage in line with World Health Organisation and International Labour Organisation standards, along with mandatory health screening at the time of joining a job and regular check-ups for all unorganised labourers. They also proposed maintaining a log book or health profile for all workers, including inter-State migrants employed for over 30 years, to track long-term illnesses such as silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, noise-induced hearing loss, contact dermatitis and occupational cancers, and to ensure health coverage.

One of the key action points was that all departments must provide inputs to outline OSH guidelines for unorganised sector labourers. Industrial and economic units were to be required to maintain log books and ensure mandatory health screening and check-ups for workers. Integrating OSH components into all National Health Mission programmes was another point of discussion.

Other proposals included notifying 107 diseases and hazards under OSH for unorganised workers, in line with the list notified by the ILO and WHO, sensitising workers on non-communicable disease management, and conducting medical camps for NCD screening.

A source familiar with the meetings said a series of discussions were held and one proposal was to have a slightly independent OSH cell. "It should have a broader perspective and a larger compass to operate on. This is an important area but least attended to. New industries are coming up and new problems will crop up. It is better to have a Standard Operating Procedure in the beginning to protect workers' health," the source said.