Children - Terre des Hommes

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we will eat tomorrow,” said a woman mine worker from the
Bhuri Beri mine who was interviewed during the course of
this study. In several villages, women said their children had
never been weighed or measured. Very few of the children
interviewed ate vegetables regularly, and none of them had
fruit or dairy products. To be denied a balanced diet at such
a critical age leads to chronic malnutrition and restricts their
growth and full mental development, as well as making them
highly susceptible to developing serious health problems in
the future.
According to people living in the iron ore mining communities
of Bellary, Karnataka, both adults and children are suffering
from breathing problems caused by exposure to the red dust.
The most common diseases that people reported in the area
are asthma and TB. Similar stories were heard from mine
communities across the country.
Injuries and death due to accidents
in mines
Mine and quarry workers across the world are particularly
vulnerable to accidents. Although there have been no
comprehensive studies to analyse the rate and incidence of
accidents in the mining sector in India, there is no doubt
that accidents in informal mines and quarries are common.
Workers from the eight states interviewed in the course of
the study reported that they often became injured at work
and incidences of fatalities are alarmingly common.
One PHC in Jodhpur district, Rajasthan, reported that
they treat at least 20 mine workers every day who have
come in with injuries, mostly caused from blasting work.
Every mine worker we spoke to in Rajasthan said that
they had witnessed accidents at their place of work. In
Dhirampuri mining area, Jodhpur district, Rajasthan, we
were told that seven to eight people die in mining accidents
there every year. A tribal man working in this area explained
how an iron rod fell down on his chest and almost killed
him. As the contractors provide no help in the event of an
accident, he was taken to hospital by his brother who had
on medical treatment and was not able to work for a long
period. As the workers are casual day labourers with no
employment rights, the contractors take no responsibility
for deaths or injuries caused in the workplace. In the event
of death, families rarely receive compensation and injured
persons are forced to take unpaid time off work and cover
their own medical costs.
In Bellary district, Karnataka, the women mine workers
interviewed said they had also witnessed accidents in the
iron ore mines. One woman had lost her newborn baby in
an accident at the site, whilst another had seen a 20-year-old
pregnant woman crushed to death by rocks.
At the age of 12, Yellappa Chaugule was left orphaned when his parents lost their lives in a stone quarry accident. He was
sent to work in a quarry by his aunt to earn for his survival. However, five years back he was rescued from the quarry and
is now attending a Santulan-run school.
“My name is Mohit (name changed). My age is around 16-17 years, I am not sure. I am from the village of Salarapentha.
After my family lost our land for the mining company, my father became sick with tuberculosis after working for some
time in the mining company, and he died. The company initially promised all the affected that jobs will be provided to all
families, but so far no villager got a job. I am the highest qualified person from my village as I failed in matriculation. I
work in the mines as a daily wage worker and earn Rs. 60 per day. Sometimes I earn Rs. 1,800 per month when there is full
time work, but most often, work is irregular. We do not have access to drinking water, medical facilities or housing from
the company. I am married and I have a lot of tension to make my family survive. So I take mahua (a type of alcohol)
sometimes to beat the stress. My mother is also a victim of tuberculosis and it is very difficult to handle the expenditure
on medical costs and also buy food. I was very interested in going to college but I have to support my family.”
90. Gravis, Tales of Woe: A Report on Child Labour in the Mines of Jodhpur and Makrana, March 2004, p. 20.
91.
92.
93.
Interviews with mineworkers, Bellary district, Karnataka, June 2009.
Interview with nurse, Fidusar Chopar Primary Healthcare Centre, Jodhpur district, Rajasthan, July 2009.
Interviews with mineworkers, Bellary district, Karnataka, August 2009.