Workers face risk at Mukkombu

Absence of sufficient life jackets for workers engaged by the Public Works Department (PWD) to plug the breach at Mukkombu has raised concern about their safety.

About 600 workers, including women, are working at Mukkombu, where a portion of the brick masonry structure was washed away about ten days ago, to build a ring bund wall across the Coleroon to arrest water flow into the river. Unlike other works, they need to work in the water in order to pile sand bags and place boulders. Several of them, braving the strong water force due to the flow of about 12,000 cusecs, work hard to plug the breach. But, no one has been provided with life jackets, thereby posing danger to their life. A few days ago, a rubber boat on which two Fire and Rescue services personnel were travelling, capsized at the work site due to strong water current.

They were subsequently rescued by their colleagues and workers after a tough and challenging rescue operation. Considering the risk that they are taking, a leader of a farmers' association, said that it should have been made compulsory for them to wear life jackets. But, it has not been insisted at all. The workers, travelling on motorised boats, engaged for carrying materials, have not been provided with life jackets. It seems that the authorities concerned have not taken the issue seriously.

However, a senior official told The Hindu that sufficient number of life jackets have been brought to the site. But, most of workers had shown disinterest to wear it by stating that they would not feel comfortable while working. Moreover, workers, who knew swimming well, have only been engaged for carrying out specific tasks in the water flowing area, he added.

Source