References to occupational exposures goods stores and other small businesses. Most of the shipbreaking workers at Alang/Sosiya and Mumbai were migrant workers coming from poorer, less industrialized states of the Union, such as Uttar Pradesh, Orissa and Bihar. Many workers would go back to their villages for three to four months a year, usually during the monsoon season, to work in agriculture, likely exposed to a different type of occupational toxic substances. It was a largely uneducated workforce, relatively young (19-45 years old) and mostly male. Most of the workers are either illiterate or have attended primary levels of schooling. A large percentage of workers are married, but only 20 per cent of them live with their families. The former Special Rapporteur noted the development of training opportunities for some workers. The Safety Training and Labour Welfare Institute, established in 2003 in Alang, provided a number of training programmes, seminars and workshop aimed at raising awareness on the risks associated with ship-dismantling activities and on the measures to adopt to minimize such risks. From 2003 to 2009, some 49,000 workers participated in training activities at the Institute. The “basic safety for all” programme was compulsory for all workers in the yards. The former Special Rapporteur also noted the progressive introduction and use of basic PPEs, such as helmets, gloves and goggles, reportedly contributing to the reduction in the number of serious accidents resulting in death or disabilities. The Special Rapporteur welcomed the efforts made by the local authorities and the shipbreaking industry to improve the health and quality of life of workers and their families in Alang/Sosiya. Notwithstanding these positive developments, the health and safety situation prevailing at the shipbreaking yards continued to remain critical, as witnessed by the 12 fatal accidents that occurred in Alang/Sosiya during the course of 2009, and there are a number of identifiable shortcomings which need to be addressed. The former Special Rapporteur was particularly concerned about the quality of infrastructure facilities in Mumbai, which continue to be highly inadequate for guaranteeing health and safety at work and an adequate standard of living for those employed in the shipbreaking sector. The informal nature of shipbreaking activities hampers the effective implementation of national labour standards aimed at guaranteeing job security and just and favourable conditions of work. There is no written contract of employment. Workers were hired either on a monthly basis or for a specific task on a vessel. They regularly change plots, depending on the arrival of ships and workload. Workers were paid monthly, usually at the daily rate. The average daily rate is 250 rupees a day (about US$ 5). Working hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but reportedly there is a two-hour compulsory overtime every day until 7 p.m. in most yards. Workers can be fired at any time with no prior notice and with no reasonable ground. The former Special Rapporteur considered that the absence of a written contract of employment, and the possibility of dismissal overnight, are at the core of the vulnerability of shipbreaking workers, and de facto prevent the full and effective enjoyment of the core labour rights enshrined in articles 6, 7 and 8 of the Covenant. Challenges faced by workers and accountability A/HRC/39/48 30 Report