A new report by the Safe in India (SII) Foundation has revealed a deeply concerning trend in the automotive industry worker safety landscape.
In 2024 alone, the number of injured workers assisted by the foundation surged by 35% year-on-year, reaching 1,256 cases. This marks a significant rise from 926 injuries recorded in 2023.
This sharp increase comes despite several past calls for reforms and workplace safety improvements in India’s booming automobile manufacturing sector.
Majority of Injured Workers Linked to Top Brands
One of the most alarming findings in the report is that more than 95% of the injured workers assisted by SII in 2024 were employed by six of the top ten automotive brands in India.
This includes major players in the global automobile market, suggesting a widespread issue across leading manufacturers.
The data signals a systemic safety problem that persists across the supply chains of even the most established automotive companies.
875 Suffered Crush Injuries in 2024
Out of the total injuries, 875 workers experienced crush injuries, primarily involving loss of fingers.
This marks a 15% increase from the 759 similar injuries reported in 2023.
These types of injuries are often irreversible, impacting workers’ ability to earn a livelihood. Many of these incidents involve mechanical press machines commonly used in auto-part manufacturing.
Workers’ Warnings Ignored
One of the most troubling revelations in the report is the neglect of workers’ warnings by supervisors and management.
41% of the injured workers said they were aware of malfunctions in machines prior to their accidents.
Of them, 91% claimed to have informed their supervisors, yet their complaints were ignored.
This not only shows a failure of safety protocols, but also a culture where worker concerns are not taken seriously.
Root Causes and Regulatory Gaps
The SII report identifies multiple contributing factors behind the rise in accidents:
- Neglected machinery maintenance
- Lack of worker training
- Underreporting of safety lapses
- Poor implementation of labour laws
The lack of stringent enforcement of the Factories Act and weak labour inspections have allowed such unsafe practices to continue.
Call for Action from Safe in India
Safe in India has urged automotive companies and suppliers to:
- Immediately audit safety practices
- Repair or replace faulty machinery
- Ensure workers are trained in machine safety
- Build better feedback channels for reporting hazards
They also call upon state labour departments and the Ministry of Labour to strengthen inspections and accountability mechanisms.
More about their ongoing safety efforts is available at the Safe in India Foundation website.
Victims Still Await Compensation
Many of the injured workers assisted by SII have yet to receive compensation from the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).
This delay adds to their financial struggles.
The foundation has called on ESIC to simplify and speed up the compensation process and to ensure proactive outreach to victims.
Automotive Giants Under Scrutiny
This report places serious pressure on major automakers to revisit their workplace safety frameworks.
With over 1,200 reported cases in a single year, many involving permanent disability, the industry’s ethical and legal responsibilities are under spotlight.
Ensuring worker safety is no longer a compliance formality—it must become a central priority.
Final Words
The Safe in India Foundation’s findings serve as a critical warning sign.
Without urgent action from automakers, suppliers, and government regulators, the situation could worsen.
As the auto industry continues to grow, the question remains—will safety grow with it, or will workers continue to pay the price?