Lessons from Bhopal Regarding BP

[dynasaw]

We seem to have collectively forgotten the Bhopal tragedy of 1984, but there are lessons from this incident. First, the Indian government
passed the Bhopal Gas Leak Act in March 1985, allowing the Government of India to act as the legal representative for victims of the disaster: Something I see no sign of
the U.S. government doing so far.

Following the Bhopal incident, Union Carbide UCC offered US$ 350 million, the insurance sum, a paltry sum considering 3,000 people died and somewhere around a total of 25,000 died over the years from the aftermath. The Government of India claimed US$ 3.3 billion from UCC. In 1999, a settlement was reached under which UCC agreed to pay US$470 million (the insurance sum, plus interest) in a full and final settlement of its civil and criminal liability.

Criminal charges were filed against Union Carbide CEO Warren Anderson and he was arrested in December 1985. Just a few days ago,
On Monday the Indian Supreme Court convicted seven Indian former employees of U.S. chemical firm Union Carbide of negligence and sentenced them to two years in jail for the world's worst industrial accident.


The shoe is on the other food ironically with the BP disaster where the tragedy is taking place on American soil. For decades, American corporations have operated abroad, at times wreaking havoc on the environment and engaging in questionable labor practices. Maybe it's time to get a few lessons from India.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

1. Thread word for today: Expendable

The Lesson.

[dynasaw]

2. Looks As If Others are Linking BP to Bhopal

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8513536