A new report reveals a significant 35% year-on-year increase in injuries among automotive industry workers, highlighting critical safety concerns.
Automotive Industry Sees Sharp Rise in Worker Injuries
Workers in India’s automotive sector are facing growing safety risks, with the Safe in India (SII) Foundation reporting a substantial increase in injuries. In 2024, the number of injured workers rose to 1,256, up from 926 in 2023.
A significant portion of these incidents involved crush injuries, specifically the loss of fingers. The report, titled “Crushed 2025,” noted 875 such cases in 2024, a 15% increase from the previous year. Most of these injuries occurred in facilities supplying to some of the top automotive brands.
Malfunctioning Machines and Ignored Warnings
A major contributing factor to these injuries is malfunctioning machinery. The report found that 41% of injured workers were aware of their machines malfunctioning before the accident.
Alarmingly, 91% of these workers reported the issues to their supervisors, only to have their warnings ignored. Power presses, in particular, are implicated in two-thirds of crush injuries, often due to loose or broken parts, or damaged paddles leading to dangerous “double stroke” incidents.
The SII Foundation also highlighted a critical lapse in safety protocols: factories often skip daily machine inspections. About 70% of inspections only happen when a machine is already broken or in anticipation of an external audit, rather than as a routine preventative measure.
Vulnerable Workers Bear the Brunt
The report suggests a direct link between a worker’s vulnerability and their likelihood of injury. Less educated, non-permanent, and inter-state migrant workers are disproportionately affected.
In Haryana, for example, 59% of injured workers in 2024 were non-permanent, with 86% being inter-state migrants and 77% having less than a tenth-grade education. Similar patterns were observed in Maharashtra, where 77% of injured workers were non-permanent and 80% were inter-state migrants, with 74% lacking a tenth-grade education.
Longer Hours, Higher Risks
Changes in labor codes have also contributed to the problem, specifically regarding working hours. While many states have increased the legal working day from 8 to 12 hours, the weekly limit often remains 48 hours.
However, the reality on the ground is starkly different: 76% of injured workers reported working over 60 hours a week. This excessive overtime, often without commensurate pay, increases fatigue and the risk of accidents.
Calls for Accountability and Systemic Change
Sandeep Sachdeva, Co-Founder & CEO of Safe in India Foundation, emphasized the need for accountability. He noted that over 8,500 injured workers have sought SII’s help, with 78% coming from auto-component factories, many operating illegal power presses.
He also pointed out that women are disproportionately at risk, and many employers falsify records to deny basic employee benefits. Sachdeva called for company boards to be held accountable for safety, urging them to publish clear data on supply chain accidents and cease business with repeat offenders.
- Automotive worker injuries increased 35% year-on-year to 1,256 in 2024.
- Crush injuries (finger loss) rose 15%, often due to malfunctioning power presses.
- Supervisors ignored 91% of workers’ reports on faulty machinery.
- Vulnerable workers, including non-permanent and less-educated migrants, are at higher risk.
- Despite weekly hour limits, 76% of injured workers reported working over 60 hours per week.
The report underscores the urgent need for a joint task force involving government and industry, alongside comprehensive safety training and honest audits to protect the workforce.
