Event / Article Details

On 28th February, 2025 South Gujarat Productivity Council & Aajeevika Bureau, jointly organized a Safety Dialogue in Surat to present findings from a safety audit exercise that we had undertaken in collaboration with 50 power loom units. The Dialogue received excellent participation from industry leaders in Surat, including Mr. Ashok Jirawala, President of FOGWA (Federation of Gujarat Weavers Welfare Association), Mr. Nilay Pandya, Asst. Director of the Powerloom Service Center and Mr. L. K. Dungrani, Rt. Deputy Director of Dist. Industrial Safety & Health also graced the occasion.

Niveditha G.D. from Work Fair and Free Foundation and Sharad Zagade from Aajeevika Bureau, Surat presented findings on risks and hazards in the production process within the power loom units. Based on the major findings, concrete solutions to mitigate and address these risks were presented to the employers/ Unit Holders.

Power loom owners also shared experiences of collaborating with Aajeevika Bureau to set up ‘Model Worksites’, with safety features such as sensory lights, safe electrical wiring equipment’s etc. and enrollment of their workers in Workmen’s Compensation policy to provide greater social security to workers.

Ms. Divya Varma, Director, Work Fair and Free and Aajeevika Bureau spoke about their initiatives in enabling industry to adopt labour practices that ensure greater dignity, security and well- being of workers across labour- intensive sectors, specifically through their Social Compact initiative. Mr. Sanjay Patel, Programme Manager, Aajeevika Bureau highlighted the dire conditions of safety in the power looms, including serious injuries and deaths of workers. Urged the power loom owners and industrial bodies to take cognizance of this issue and take concrete steps to make power-looms safer and secure for workers.