Hyderabad: The Indian National Trade Union Congress (Intuc) accused the department of factories and boilers of gross negligence and corruption following the explosion at Sigachi Industries, Pashamylaram. The union has also slammed the Centre for violating ILO Convention-81, which mandates regular, impartial labour inspections, especially in hazardous sectors.
After a fact-finding visit to the accident site, Intuc’s Telangana committee said the scale of the tragedy reflected a complete breakdown of regulatory oversight and an alarming pattern of impunity within the inspection system. The union blamed the department for failing to conduct periodic safety audits, ignoring statutory norms under the Factories Act, 1948, and compromising worker safety through inaction and alleged bribery.
“This is not just negligence; it is complicity,” said Intuc-Telangana general secretary R.D. Chandra Shekar. “Inspections have either been diluted or skipped altogether for personal gain, despite repeated warnings from unions and previous incidents. The system is broken, and workers are paying the price with their lives.”
The union demanded a high-level judicial inquiry into the explosion, specifically examining the role of factory inspectors and senior officials. It also called for a CAG audit of the department to uncover corruption, along with immediate suspension and criminal prosecution of those responsible for regulatory failure.
Intuc has also sought full implementation of ILO Convention-81, which India ratified in 1949, and urged the state to ensure direct compensation and rehabilitation for the victims’ families, facilitated by both the company and government. Warning of statewide agitations if no action is taken, the union said workers would no longer tolerate a system where safety laws are ignored and accountability is avoided.
