Modern Day Triangle Shirtwaist Factory

As we discussed in class, The Triangle Shirtwaist factory was clearly unequipped for hazards such as fires. The fire escape in the building was indeed approved by the fire department, however, the doors on certain floors were locked to ensure that none of the workers unionized or escaped during the course any given day. After a fire hit and hundreds of workers died, mainly because of the poor fire equipment, the Triangle Shirtwaist factory was remade. One may think that the management would have learned their lesson after the fire struck the eighth floor, but in their new building, they still proceeded to cover the fire escape with a sewing machine. This finally caused the fire department to disapprove of the factory’s fire equipment.

After learning of this terrible situation that occurred in 1911, I completed some research to investigate if similar events are still happening in modern day situations. I was shocked to find a related situation that had occurred last April in India.

In Mangalore, India, very minimally paid laborers are, “hired to dig trenches in Atturkodi area in Kutherthoor village by the Mangalore Refineries and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL)” (Mondal). These laborers were hired last spring to search for an oil-leak. The trenches that were being dug had been polluted by hydrocarbons. Supposedly these hydrocarbons have caused the trench diggers to begin to develop severe skin conditions. These laborers have repeatedly told their management of these skin problems, and even, “requested the officials of the refinery for protective gear but nothing had been done in this regard” (Mondal). One worker developed a dangerous burning sensation on his legs and hands. However, the officials threatened him after he told a television station about the skin conditions that the laborers are developing.

This modern day situation greatly reminded me of the Shirtwaist Factory in that the management did not care about its workers, but only the job they completed. This situation Mangalore greatly saddened me to know that people have still not learned from the mistakes of the Shirtwaist Factory. In 1911, a sacrifice was made, and I wish the world could learn from those mistakes. However, because similar situations are still occurring today, it causes me to believe that maybe this attitude will always remain in human nature. However, people should learn from events such as these and begin to care more about people than the work that they complete.