On the Ground in Rajasthan: Exploring Solutions for Occupational Health Issues

During a recent visit to Udaipur, Rajasthan, our team engaged with key organisations working on occupational health issues — particularly silicosis and tuberculosis (TB) — affecting marginalised communities.

We met with Aajeevika Bureau, Basic HealthCare Services, and Pathar Gadhai Mazdoor Suraksha Sangh — groups actively supporting affected workers, advocating for policy reforms, and pushing for rehabilitation and compensation. This visit provided valuable insights into the challenges of effectively implementing the silicosis policy in Rajasthan.

A major focus of Dhaatri’s work is the severe impact of TB and silicosis on the Sahariya and Gond Adivasi communities in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna and Vidisha districts — communities pushed into mining labour due to land loss and poverty. While TB is addressed nationally, silicosis remains largely neglected despite its chronic and incurable nature, leading to long-term suffering.

We also observed how Aajeevika’s initiatives, such as their Skill Training, Employability, and Placement (STEP) Academy, are creating alternative livelihood opportunities for youth from migrant worker communities and mining areas. Their Labour Line provides legal advice for workers facing exploitation or unpaid wages.

This visit reaffirmed the urgent need for comprehensive solutions — medical, social, and policy-driven — to protect vulnerable communities from occupational health crises and to ensure a healthier future.