Workers Lead the Way: Launching Shramik Suraksha 2026 with 1,200 Workers
- Safe in India
- Apr 30
- 3 min read
Over the past few weeks, Safe in India Foundation brought together more than 1,200 workers across Gurgaon, Faridabad and Pune to launch something simple, practical - and powerful.
A Hindi report called Shramik Suraksha 2026.
This is not just another report.
It is built by workers, for workers - grounded in real experiences from factory floors, real injuries, and real learnings that could have prevented them.
A Different Kind of Conversation on Safety
These were not typical “awareness sessions”.
Workers did not sit quietly and listen.
They spoke. They shared. They questioned.
Across all three locations, we saw:
Workers openly discussing injuries and near-misses
Conversations around ESIC access and challenges
Practical questions on documents, safety practices and processes
Stories that highlighted both gaps - and opportunities for improvement
Working Together: ESIC Experts Engage Directly with Workers
A key highlight of the events was the presence of ESIC experts, including members from their medical and compensation teams.
Rather than one-way communication, these sessions became highly interactive:
Workers asked detailed, real-life questions on claims, treatment and processes
ESIC experts responded with clarity and practical guidance
Common doubts were addressed in an open forum
The sessions were highly engaging and widely appreciated by workers, many of whom rarely get direct access to such expertise.
We would like to thank ESIC for joining us and engaging so constructively.
This kind of collaboration demonstrates what is possible when workers, institutions and organisations come together - not just to discuss problems, but to move towards solutions.
From Experience to Action: 10 Practical Takeaways
At the heart of Shramik Suraksha 2026 are 10 simple, actionable points - things every worker can do or check.
These are not abstract rights. They are also part of the new Labour Codes/Existing Laws.
Worker prioritised these 10:
Every worker should get an Employment Letter.
Every worker should get a Salary Slip.
Every worker's ESIC card should be correct details eg. mobile and bank account numbers.
Every worker's family must be registered with ESIC.
Injured worker's Accident report should filed within 24 hours
Worker should not operate unsafe machine, should ask for safety mechanism on machine.
Worker should not operate faulty machines, nor should they be forced to.
Workers must take personal responsibility for their safety.
Auto component workers must understand which automotive brand their factory supplies.
Workers and employers should know the grievance mechanism for ESIC and safety.
Together, they create a safer, more accountable workplace.
Making the Invisible Visible: Workers and the Brands They Supply
One powerful moment across all events was a simple exercise.
We asked workers:
“Which automobile brands does your factory make parts for?”
Workers then:
Wrote brand names on stickers
Walked up to a large board displaying brand logos
Placed themselves under those brands
What followed was striking.
Boards began to fill up.
Under some brands, there were dozens - sometimes hundreds - of workers.
This created a powerful visual - a human map of injured workers in theire supply chain.
Why this matters:
Workers begin to see their connection to larger brands
Supply chains become more visible and real
It opens up constructive conversations on responsibility and improvement
We will be using this visual as part of our ongoing advocacy - to engage with industry in strengthening safety across supply chains.
Why This Matters Beyond the Factory
Worker safety is often seen as a compliance issue.
But it is much more than that.
Safer workplaces lead to:
Fewer disruptions
Better worker retention
Higher productivity
Stronger supply chains
This is not just a worker issue.
It is a business and economic opportunity as highlighted in India’s Economic Survey, improving workplace safety is directly linked to productivity.
This report is one step towards taking that idea to the factory floor.
Media Coverage & Momentum
The events also received encouraging attention from media and stakeholders.
Want a Copy of the Report?
Shramik Suraksha 2026 is designed to be simple, practical and usable on the ground.
If you would like a printed copy/copied of the report - for your organisation, factory, team or network - we would be happy to send them to you.
👉 Please write to us at: Team@safeinindia.org
Thank You. To support Indian workers and their productivity, help us raise funding for this work.
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