News.Scotland.Org

October, 11

They are not any super humans, nor do they have any un-natural power they are just poverty struck workers who have decided to risk out their lives only for £1 a day. The Indian judiciary has given green signal to dismantle the 46000-tonne cruise liner Blue Lady. This Norwegian ship was in new followed by a long battle led by the Indian environmentalists stating the ship contains about 900 tonnes of harmful toxic waste which is a major concern.

Indian Supreme Court has given the nod to break-up the ship, flaying the plea of environmentalists. It’s a normal sight to spot hundreds of workers engaged at the Alang Shipyard in Gujarat state in India. Workers have embraced this hazardous task due to their poverty. These poor workers are not at all worried about their health, what they are looking for is just to earn their livelihood.

Expressing his grief 35-year-old Rajesh a labourer and father of three said, we know the work we are doing is dangerous for us, but at the end of the day we have a family, whom we have to look after. It’s the matter of do or die for us, either we will perish of this work or will succumb to poverty. Majority of the worker are migrants and have come here in search of work he added.

This matter first came into picture in February 2006, later environmentalist groups urged Indian and French government to stop the decommissioned French aircraft carrier Clemenceau to be broken up at Alang shipyard in Gujarat, India. Standing hard on the issue many environmentalist said the ship contains tonnes of toxic substance and asbestos which will cause danger to the nature. After a year of strong protest the Apex Court took the decision in the favour of the government and ordered to dismantle the ship but under strict safety measures.

But the report suggests that during 2005 several workers engaged in ship breaking industry in Indian China and Pakistan have lost their lives due to the exposure to toxic waste. According to sources, only few steps have been taken to make workers aware about the safety measures for protecting themselves from the harmful toxics. Even it was known that many of the workers are suffering from chronic respiratory disorder and are not fit to do this kind of work. Along with that only few beds are available for the workers of Alang in the government hospitals.

Though the ship has brought smile to many faces in the Alang shipyard which was running in a pity state, Blue Lady has made this yard again lively. But who knows what cost they have to pay for this benefit as the harmful side of this ship is still a serious concern for all.