Occupational Risks in Mining: The Case of Nepalese Migrant Workers in the Coal Mines of Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya

Abstract

A large number of Nepalese began to migrate to the coal mining areas in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya during 1970s. Coal mines require man power in abundance, hence becoming coveted areas of making a fortune for the Nepalese across the border. In Jaintia Hills, mines are under private ownership. Landowners have adopted a crude form of excavation infamously called rat-hole mining. The unscientific mining and the lack of safeh; measures for the workers in these mines has severely impacted the health of the migrants. Many lose their lives due to accidents resulting from unscientific mining. Unhygienic working and living environs, predominantly infused with coal dust has resulted in a high prevalence of many diseases among the Nepalese migrant workers. This paper based on empirical research endeavors to understand Nepalese migration and the different types of occupational risks involved in rathole mines such as health risks and accidents, as well as the risks associated with living conditions in the make shifts camps.