The People’s Training & Research Center (PTRC), a Vadodara-based NGO that has worked on occupational health for over three decades, has released its annual report for 2025-26, documenting both significant legal breakthroughs and the persistent struggles of workers afflicted by silicosis in Gujarat’s ceramic and mining hubs.
The report comes against the backdrop of a prolonged legal battle. PTRC, along with eight silicosis victim families, had filed a petition in the Gujarat High Court. During the year, the court passed several interim orders compelling the state government to provide relief. In a landmark development, the Gujarat government announced a policy decision to grant one-time ex gratia assistance of Rs 3 lakh to living silicosis patients from the unorganized sector. The High Court also directed the state to formulate a comprehensive rehabilitation policy for affected workers. Additionally, the court ordered adequate compensation for the kin of deceased workers in line with Supreme Court directives from 2016 and 2017.
“This is an important progressive step by the Government,” PTRC noted in its report, while adding that the petition is still being heard and the organization hopes for more such orders.
During the year, PTRC conducted a study involving 2,000 workers from the manufacturing and service sectors in Morbi—the ceramic capital of India—to assess coverage under the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Act and the Provident Fund (PF) Act. The findings were shocking: only 7.35% of respondents were covered under the ESI Act and a mere 8.10% under the PF Act.
The report, titled “Laws in Captivity,” was published in English and Gujarati. PTRC organized press conferences in Morbi and Ahmedabad, which received wide media coverage. A delegation later visited the ESIC Regional Office in Ahmedabad to present the findings, though they were not allowed to meet the PF Commissioner.
Identifying New Cases and Providing Relief
PTRC continued its grassroots work of identifying silicosis victims, locating 94 new cases in the Morbi and Surendranagar districts during the year. The total number of silicosis cases identified by the organization now stands at 377—224 alive and 153 deceased.
In a significant success story, a silicosis victim from Morbi district received Rs 12 lakh in compensation through an out-of-court agreement, with Rs 1 lakh paid by cheque and Rs 11 lakh in cash, facilitated by PTRC’s persistent advocacy. Fifteen victims received financial assistance totaling Rs 53 lakh during the year.
The report details the case of Babubhai and Chetnaben, a couple working in a well-known ceramic factory. After Babubhai was diagnosed with silicosis, the management’s attitude changed—they stopped depositing salaries in the bank, started paying in cash, and eventually terminated Chetnaben’s services despite her sanctioned leave. When Babubhai attempted suicide out of desperation on May 4, 2025, it was registered as a medico-legal case.
With PTRC’s help, the couple filed complaints with the Assistant Labour Commissioner and the Gujarat Human Rights Commission. After an eight-month struggle, during which they faced threats, a lockout from their factory residence, and repeated police indifference, the management agreed to settle. On May 25, 2025, they received Rs 12 lakh in compensation.
Ongoing Challenges and Legal Pressure
Despite the legal victories, challenges remain. The Gujarat High Court has pulled up the state government for delays and inadequacies in implementing Supreme Court directions. The court refused to accept an affidavit filed by the Principal Secretary of the Labour and Employment Department and warned of contempt proceedings. The court also noted that the 90-day timeline for filing claims was “practically not feasible” and lacked social sensitivity.
According to data received through RTI applications filed by PTRC, 152 claims for financial assistance under the Silicosis Death Scheme were received between 2017-18 and 2025-26, of which 106 were approved and Rs 1.6 crore was disbursed. However, 40 claims are still pending, and 17 were rejected as time-barred.
Media and Networking
PTRC received substantial media support, appearing 31 times in various publications during the year. The organization also attended the 5th International Conference on Occupational and Environmental Health (ICOEH 2026) in Thimphu, Bhutan, from April 27-29, 2026.
With its team reduced to just one field officer in the last four months of the year due to financial constraints, PTRC’s ability to identify new cases has been impacted. The organization has expressed gratitude to its donors, media partners, and the silicosis victims and their families for their trust and participation.
“We hope for more such orders from the honourable court,” PTRC stated, as the fight for comprehensive rehabilitation and adequate compensation for Gujarat’s silicosis victims continues.
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