MP demands action against factory owner who employs minors
Balasore: Balasore MP and BJP Lok Sabha candidate Pratap Chandra Sarangi has urged the police and district labor office to take strict action against the owner of a shrimp processing factory for hiring minor girls. More than 18 girls, including minors, working at the factory had to be taken to hospital after they fell ill following an ammonia gas leak on Thursday.
The gas leak at the Snow World shrimp processing unit reportedly occurred around 9 pm on Thursday night due to a technical glitch at the factory located at Gadiyamala village under Khantapada police station in Balasore district, sources said. More than 18 employees fell ill after inhaling the gas and were admitted to Nilgiri Hospital.
Sarangi expressed displeasure over the actions of the factory owner, especially the employment of minors and the alleged delay in providing medical treatment to sick workers. “This is a violation of child protection laws and child labor rules, and needs a joint investigation by the police and the district labor office,” Sarangi said after visiting the hospital at night to ensure the minors received proper care.
The shocking thing is that by morning all the affected people were discharged. Following this, Sarangi and his team visited the local police station and demanded action against the factory owner for allegedly taking the affected minors out of fear of getting into trouble due to the incident.
On receiving the information, District Labor Officer Shuva Narayan Sahu reached the factory and later met the patients in the hospital. He said that investigation into the incident has begun and assured that further information will be disclosed once the process is completed.
Police reportedly sent 10 workers to a shelter home after their health improved, sources said. However, Smita Nayak, a female worker admitted to the hospital after the incident, has also gone missing. Her husband Abhishis Nayak searched for her in the factory and hospital but could not locate her. He has lodged a complaint in the local police station.
