CPIML demands strict action against LG Polymer and government officials for negligence!
The Accountability for this Disaster Must be Fixed.
Victim Families Must Get Proper Compensation and Care.
Modi government must care for safety and environmental regulations and withdraw proposed Labour Code Bills including ‘Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions’!
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, another disaster has struck the nation. This time a man-made one. The Styrene gas leak at 3AM on May 7 from LG Polymer Plant in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh had led to the death of more than 11 people (including minors) and 200 injured. According to developing reports, the toxic gas has affected more than 2000 people. The visuals of people lying motionless on the ground and dead cattles in villages around the plant bring back the horrific memories of the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy that killed more than 3000 people.
The LG Polymers factory was originally established in 1961 as Hindustan Polymers to manufacture polystyrene. In 1997. The company was taken over by South Korea-based LG Chemicals in 1997, which renamed it as LG Polymers. The plant is situated in a highly populated area and the gas leak has affected several villages in the five kilometers of radius around the plant.
After 36 years of the Bhopal Gas disaster, the government continues to put people's lives at risk.
Since the Modi government came to power in 2014, its ‘Ease of Doing Business’ policy has led to scuttling of factory safety and environmental regulations. The disaster at the LG Polymer plant is a clear reflection of putting profit over people's lives.
Amid the COVID 19 pandemic, many state governments, following the line of Modi government are planning to introduce a series of changes to labour laws, including allowing more factories to operate without following safety and health norms and give a free hand to companies to “keep labourers in service as per their convenience”. The UP government is planning for a complete suspension of Labour Laws which is a serious attack on labour and democratic rights of workers and must be opposed. Such moves are a clear recipe for industrial disaster.
CPIML Liberation expresses its deepest condolences to the people who have lost their loved ones. The Andhra Pradesh and Central government should ensure adequate compensation and provide proper care to all the people affected by the gas leak.
We also demand strict action against LG Polymer and government officials for negligence. Restarting of all factories should be conducted under proper monitoring. We demand an end to the Central and state governments’ scuttling of safety, labour and environmental regulations and inspection rules in the name of ‘Ease of Doing Business.’
Strict industrial safety regulations and inspection laws should be brought in place to prevent another Bhopal like tragedy.
Central Committee
CPIML Liberation.
