Factory fire: No payout for affected families, workers plan protest

Gurgaon: Days after a fire at a factory in Faridabad’s Sector 37 claimed the lives of three workers, its 20-25 employees are contemplating launching a protest demanding compensation for the affected families.
According to the workers, they have lost their jobs as the factory has been sealed. Moreover, the affected families have not yet got any compensation from the district administration or the owner. Ajay Kumar, the owner of the battery manufacturing factory, is on the run, police said.
“We don’t care about losing our jobs. We will find another. We care about the families of those who were charred to death inside the factory. Who will look after their wife and kids,” asked Raj Kumar, who has been working at the factory for the past two years. “They should be given some compensation. Is the administration ignoring us because we are poor?”
On Saturday morning, three workers were killed and another one was injured in the fire that broke out in the factory, owned by Fuji Cell Company.
The workers told police that the factory did not have safety measures in place, following which Gupta was booked for causing death due to negligence. “Two teams have been formed to track down Gupta. He has switched off his phone but he will be arrested soon,” said Faridabad police spokesperson Sube Singh.
However, the workers are set to launch a protest against the administration and the factory owner until their only demand is met. “We have only one immediate demand that the government should compensate the families of those workers who were charred to death in the factory fire. We will wait for one more day after which we will start a protest,” said Amrit Kumar, the injured worker.
Despite repeated requests, the workers claimed, the factory owner did not make the provision of an emergency exit. “Our safety was not important to the factory owner. Human life has no value even to the government. They only come to us for votes,” said Amrit.