Join us for a talk by Indian labor activist and director of Peoples Training and Research Centre, Mr. Jagdish Patel.
Talk Abstract:
Gujarat state in India has several claims to fame it is the home state of the current Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and it is one of the most industrialized regions of India. The presentation will provide an industrial map of the state, occupational health and safety problems faced by the workforce, available data on injuries and illnesses, and ongoing efforts to obtain compensation for injured workers and their survivors. Occupational diseases experienced by the states workers include noise-induced hearing loss, silicosis, occupational asthma, chromium toxicity, and occupational dermatitis. The talk will also describe the work of the Peoples Training and Research Centre in Vadodara to raise workers understanding and awareness of workplace health hazards and their rights under Indian law.
About the Speaker:
Jagdish Patel has diplomas in chemical engineering and industrial engineering and began his career working in chemical plants around Vadodara, Gujarat, India. Patel helped establish Vyavsayik Swasthya Suraksha Mandal, a local workplace safety advocacy group in 1986. In 1988, Patel started a bimonthly Gujarati newsletter on occupational health and safety, and he was a leader of the National Campaign on Dust-Related Lung Diseases that began in 1990. In 1992, Patel helped establish the Peoples Training and Research Centre, and has been working full time for the Centre since 1998. Patel was the Coordinator of the Asian Network for the Rights of Occupational Accident Victims (ANROAV, now renamed as ANROEV) from 2006 to 2008. Patel was also Coordinator of the Occupational and Environmental Health Network (OEHNI), and one of the founding members and current Co-Chair of the Asian Ban Asbestos Network India (ABANI). Patel has conducted educational and legal rights campaigns with workers suffering silicosis in the agate polishing and stone crushing industries, and chemical workers experiencing chromium toxicity, among many other local industries. In 2007, Patel received the International Award from the Occupational Health and Safety Section of the American Public Health Association.
Read more about PTRC HERE
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Event made possible with the support of the Sarah Kailath Chair of India Studies
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PARKING INFORMATION
Please note that parking is not always easily available in Berkeley. Take public transportation if possible or arrive early to secure your spot.
The event is FREE and OPEN to the public.
