Realisation to Collectivisation: A Solidarity Association of Silicosis-Affected Workers

Ballast stone quarries and stone crushers span a large area of Birbhum District in West Bengal. One such region is Mohammad Bazar. The stone workers and their families live in nearby villages of the stone crushers, either as permanent residents or in rented homes. Most daily wage or contract workers in the vicinity of the stone crushers, registered as construction workers with the government, leave before dawn with a hammer in hand or empty-handed in search of work, returning home with Rs. 500 or Rs. 700 after a full day of labour. Additionally, silica dust coats their bodies, originating from within their mouths and even appearing in their black phlegm. Their dependence on smoking and local alcohol worsens their health, increasing the risk of tuberculosis and silicosis. Some of these stone workers have already died from respiratory problems, losing hope of survival after contracting TB or silicosis. Shankar Hansda from Jethia village feels as if his chest is filled with cement-like stone dust and believes proper treatment is the only way to recover from the brink of death. Philip Hasda, a 27-year-old labourer, suffers from mental anxiety due to silicosis.

As part of the Stone Workers' Empowerment Project, CSRA helps identify and mobilise workers, organise health check-ups in partnership with the District and Block Health Departments, and provide follow-up care for both suspected and diagnosed silicosis patients, along with rehabilitation packages supplied by the district administration.

Once these stone workers were healthy, but due to silica dust exposure, they now suffer from silicosis alongside other health issues. After detecting silicosis or other lung diseases, their work capacity decreased from 100% to 50%, and in some cases to 15%. During regular home visits by CSRA staff, many workers were found to be experiencing severe mental health problems caused by their declining health and concerns about their families’ future. The workers share their worries with CSRA project staff, who provide counselling support through professional counsellors from the District Health Department. CSRA has allied with silicosis-affected workers with objectives including (a) facilitating access to group counselling; (b) strengthening coordination between silicosis-affected workers and local health units; (c) sharing views and experiences among affected workers; (d) promoting good nutrition and health practices, including meditation and breathing exercises; and (e) planning for alternative livelihoods through compensation as per the Government of West Bengal policy.

On 11th July 2025, the "Birbhum Silicosis Affected Workers Platform" was established in the presence of key health officials from the district and block, as well as 72 silicosis-affected stone workers. District health and labour officials appreciated and supported this initiative and assured their assistance to the workers’ alliance. The participating silicosis-affected workers and their families expressed their gratitude to CSRA for its ongoing support in connecting them with government services. CSRA also intends to link this group of silicosis-affected individuals with the Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS in Birbhum District and West Bengal to foster motivation and solidarity support.