Hazards at work, 25

India -- The State may claim to have a lion’s share in the national cotton industry, but those who make the ginning wheels run are being subjected to atrocities by unit owners and labour contractors. For thousands of tribal labourers from Rajasthan, who flock to the cotton ginning mills in Gujarat, the situation is only getting worse.

Sixteen-year-old Meena (name changed) from Dungarpur in Rajasthan escaped a rape attempt in the Neminath Cotton Mill in Shekhpur village, Surendranagar district. Her colleagues who came from villages in Dungarpur district were forced to flee without getting paid for their work. There are allegations of harassment, physical assault and sexual harassment against the mill contractor.

Sudhir Katiyar, executive member of Dakshini Rajasthan Majdoor Union (DRMU) said that since November, this was the third case of atrocity against the Rajasthani tribal labourers in the cotton ginning mills of Gujarat. "While the cases of atrocities are rampant, these people are also exploited by mill owners in a big way," Katiyar said, adding that cases of accidents are also very common in these mills. "Apart from number of cases of loss of limbs, as many as four deaths due to accidents in these mills have been reported from Kadi in the last one month alone," he said.

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Safe Delhi Campaign

Seems like the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in partnership with the Delhi government and Jagori, are taking steps to make the city safer.

Story:
India -- "The Safe Delhi Campaign will include lighting up of poorly lit areas, conducting gender sensitisation programmes and self-defence classes for women," says Ankur Bhatia, chairman, Delhi State Council, CII.

The self-defence classes for women would be conducted with the help of Delhi Police and other trainers, adds Bhatia.

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