Ludhiana Workers Call for Urgent Safety Checks
Ludhiana’s industrial workforce is grappling with a deep sense of anxiety following the tragic collapse of a factory building in the city, which claimed the lives of three workers. Although the district authorities have officially called off the rescue operation and confirmed that no other workers are believed to be trapped, many factory workers continue to gather at the site, their eyes fixed on the wreckage of the collapsed structure. This lingering unease highlights the grim reality of unsafe working conditions in Ludhiana’s industrial hub.
While the district administration has declared the rescue operation concluded, workers, especially those in the daily wage sector, have expressed concerns over the incomplete search of the site. Many of these workers, who lack official records with the contractor or factory owner, fear that others may still be trapped under the debris. Their voices echo a growing discontent over the systemic neglect of safety standards in industrial spaces, particularly in factories operating in the city’s bustling Focal Point area. For these workers, the collapse serves as a harsh reminder of the precarious working conditions they endure daily. With no recourse or viable alternatives, they continue to work in environments where structural safety is often an afterthought. One worker, speaking on behalf of many others, shared his fears: “We work in factories that are structurally unsafe, yet we have no choice but to continue working. We have families to support, and leaving is not an option.” He further alleged that factory owners often bypass safety regulations, putting workers’ lives at risk.
The workers’ concerns have spurred them to demand urgent action from the authorities. They are calling for a comprehensive and time-bound safety audit of all factories operating within the city’s industrial zone. Without this intervention, they argue, unsafe factories will continue to operate unchecked, exposing workers to significant risks. The workers’ demands also include measures to ensure that no further tragedies occur in the future, particularly in factories where safety violations are rampant. In response to the growing pressure, Ludhiana’s Deputy Commissioner , has instructed the Municipal Corporation (MC) commissioner to take control of the collapsed site to prevent any further accidents. A committee has been formed to assess the structural integrity of the remaining portion of the building, and a detailed report is expected in two days. The committee will also determine whether the rest of the structure needs to be demolished to prevent further risks to nearby buildings.
The tragic event has also sparked calls for financial compensation. A delegation from the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) visited the Deputy Commissioner’s office to submit a memo, demanding compensation for the affected families. The union has asked for Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased, Rs 5 lakh for those injured in the incident, and Rs 2 lakh for workers who have lost their livelihood due to the factory’s closure.
Despite these demands, the broader issue remains the lack of safety standards in Ludhiana’s industrial sector. Many workers have voiced concerns that such incidents are bound to repeat unless the authorities enforce stricter safety regulations and hold factory owners accountable for the well-being of their employees. Until then, the workers will continue to live in fear, knowing that they are just one accident away from potentially facing the same fate as their deceased colleagues. This tragic incident in Ludhiana underscores the need for more stringent safety audits and greater accountability in the industrial sector. It also brings into sharp focus the plight of daily wage workers who, despite their essential role in the economy, are often overlooked in terms of workplace protections. For Ludhiana’s industrial workers, the collapse is more than just a tragedy—it is a wake-up call for urgent reforms to ensure that no more lives are lost due to neglectful practices and unsafe working environments.
