Sunday, September 18, 2011

Driver succumbs to head injury complications at SEW worksite

UPSET TRUCKERS ACCUSE COMPANY OF NEGLECTING EMPLOYEE HEALTH

PURAN TAMANG
NAMCHI, 16 Sept: A truck driver working for the SEW Infrastructure Limited (Loop Hydro Electricity Power Company) at Jorethang, South Sikkim, died on his way to the Namchi District Hospital today which the other drivers working in the company have alleged was due to the negligence on the part of the company.
The deceased, Nagendra Das from Bihar had been working as a truck driver in the company for more than a year. Friends of the deceased informed that he had sustained a head injury on 13 Sept when he slipped and fell in the company’s mess hall.
He was taken to the company’s PHC unit where the doctors, after examining him, said that it was a simple injury and advised a one week rest and prescribed him some medicines. However, the hiring company did not grant him leave and he had to continue working till he finally fell unconscious while preparing to head for work today. He was again taken to the company’s PHC and after persistent requests by a friend, referred to the Namchi District Hospital. He, however, died on the way to the hospital.
Truck drivers working for the company have alleged that Mr. Das died due to negligence of the company which is running the PHC unit with a part-time doctor.
Dr. Sri Ram of the company’s PHC unit informed that the deceased was brought to the PHC at 6:30 a.m. and was immediately referred to the Namchi District Hospital but died on the way, at around 7:30 am. He further mentioned that the deceased was under treatment for head injuries.
Following the incident, Truck Drivers’ Association of South has come forward in support of the drivers of the company. President TDA (S), Gakul Rai, informed that the company had always neglected the health of its workers.
“The company is even denying that Mr. Das succumbed to head injuries that he had sustained earlier which is unacceptable,” expressed Mr Rai. “If the company does not provide necessary security for the lives of its workers then the association might go on strike and will not cooperate with the company,” he added.


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