India is a world leader in shipbreaking, accounting for between 25 and 38 per cent of all shipbreaking activities in the last four years. At full employment a potential of 6,000 shipbreakers are employed in Mumbai, and another 60,000 work in Alang.

Because the industry mainly employs migrant workers with little education, or legal protection, shipbreaking workers are easily exploited with no voice to defend their most basic rights, suffering grave repercussions should they try to improve their lot.

“What this survey now provides is an overview of the exploitative situation that up to 60,000 workers confront, exposed to extremely dangerous and unhygienic working conditions, the majority of workers earning less then Rs 50 (1USD) per day,” said Marcello Malentacchi, general secretary of the IMF.

“These workers are among the most vulnerable workers in our sectors, constantly migrating in search of seasonal jobs in the shipyards, subject to ruthless employers and totally ignored by the political authorities. Workplaces lack everything from drinking water to protective gear and medical aid, workers live in huts without sanitation or electricity, right beside the shipbreaking yards.”

The research will serve as a basis for organizing the shipbreaking industry and drawing attention to the basic needs and rights of its workers.