Commonwealth Games Criticism and Controversies

Criticism and controversies - 2010 Commonwealth Games

The biggest threat to the Commonwealth Games now is the execution of pending infrastructural work. In fact, preparation for Commonwealth Games is way behind the planned schedule. There is an element of risk related to the present status of completion of a number of structures being built for the games. A number of dignitaries of national and international repute have already expressed their concern over the way the preparation of the games is being manifested. Various sports officials and authorities of sports bodies have expressed their dissatisfaction over the manner in which the games are heading. However, other Indian officials in charge of the games are confident that the entire work will be completed within the time frame.

It has also been alleged there have been fragrant violation of labour laws at various sites of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India. Various organisations of Human Rights have observed that there has been a number of accidental deaths of labourers since the work began. Also there have been glaring violations of law with regard to payment of wages. Payment of wages is also in news for wrong reasons though the exact figures for both the cases are yet to be revealed.  Investigations through independent agencies have revealed that seventy cases or more of such deaths have occurred since the work begun. 

The minimum wages for eight hours as mentioned in the laws is Rs.152 whereas both skilled and unskilled labourers are being paid wages way below this amount. There have been allegations that no can approach or enter the camps where the labourers live as ban orders on such movement have been imposed. Human rights activists have complained that it prevents them from collecting information on the prevailing conditions of the labourers and their camps. Also there have been litigations on non-payment of overtime wages by the employers to their employees.