Context:

The automotive industry in India is facing challenges in ensuring worker safety, with a recent report by Safe in India (SII) Foundation highlighting a 35% year-on-year increase in injured workers. The report, titled "Crushed 2025," reveals that over 8,500 injured workers have approached SII, with 78% of them from auto-component factories, mostly due to illegally operated power presses.

Key Findings of the report:

·        Rise in Injuries: The number of injured workers increased to 1,256 in 2024, up from 926 in 2023, with crush injuries accounting for 875 cases, a 15% year-on-year rise.

·        Negligence and Lack of Inspection: Supervisors often ignored workers' warnings of malfunctioning machines, with 41% of injured workers aware of malfunctions, and 91% of them reporting to have informed their supervisors, only to be ignored. Factories also seem to lack the practice of inspecting machinery daily before operations begin.

·        Vulnerability of Workers: The report highlights that workers with lower levels of education are more vulnerable to injuries, with 77% of injured workers in Haryana and 74% in Maharashtra having education below class 10th.

·        Long Working Hours: The report notes that 76% of injured workers work over 60 hours a week, despite the legal limit of 48 hours.

Recommendations

The report urges a multi-level response:

·         Hold company boards accountable for supply chain safety

·         Blacklist repeat offender factories

·         Professionalise MSME suppliers and enforce ESIC and OSH Code compliance

·         Launch skill and safety training programs, especially for high-risk machinery

·         Create a joint task force involving the government and industry

·         Improve transparency by publishing accident data from automotive supply chains

Contribution of the auto sector in India:

The automotive sector contributes approximately 6% to India’s GDP and supports around 30 million jobs (4.2 million direct and 26.5 million indirect). The auto components industry alone contributes 2.3% to GDP, with a turnover of ₹6.14 lakh crore (USD 74.1 billion) in FY24. This segment is growing at a CAGR of 8.63%, and exports are projected to reach USD 30 billion by 2026.

Conclusion:

The report's findings and recommendations highlight the need for improved worker safety in the automotive industry. By prioritizing worker safety and implementing effective measures, the industry can reduce the risk of injuries and create a safer working environment for its workers