HKC and the Worker’s Voice - Episode 1: What the Hong Kong Convention Means for Workers in Alang

In this episode, Dr. Anand Hiremath, CEO of the Sustainable Ship and Offshore Recycling Program, speaks with Mr. Vidhyadhar Rane, General Secretary of the Alang Sosiya Ship Recycling & General Workers’ Association, about what the Hong Kong Convention means for workers in Alang. The discussion looks at ship recycling from the worker’s perspective. Alang has been part of the global ship recycling industry for decades, and the sector has changed significantly through investment, training, infrastructure upgrades, compliance systems, and stronger safety practices. With more than 110 HKC-compliant yards in Alang, the episode explains how the Hong Kong Convention has helped bring greater structure to worker safety, training, PPE use, emergency preparedness, hazardous material handling, and environmental controls. The conversation also highlights that Alang’s progress did not begin only with HKC. Yard owners have invested heavily over the years in infrastructure, impermeable flooring, drainage systems, safety equipment, training areas, documentation, and emergency response systems. A key focus of the episode is the role of workers themselves. Ship recycling is skilled work, and workers play an essential role in steel recovery, dismantling, recycling, and the wider circular economy. HKC has helped make worker training and safety more formal, more visible, and more consistent. The episode also explores the importance of training in local languages for Alang’s migrant workforce. Since workers come from different Indian states and speak different languages, practical communication, demonstrations, pictures, and clear instructions are essential for real safety outcomes on the ground. Looking ahead, the conversation emphasizes that HKC works best when yard owners invest, supervisors guide, unions engage, and workers actively participate in safe working practices. This episode is useful for shipowners, recyclers, cash buyers, regulators, sustainability professionals, ESG teams, maritime lawyers, compliance officers, circular economy stakeholders, and anyone following responsible ship recycling in India. Topics discussed in this episode What the Hong Kong Convention means for workers in Alang How HKC has helped structure worker safety and training Why more than 110 HKC-compliant yards matter for India’s ship recycling industry Yard-level investment in infrastructure, safety systems, and compliance The role of migrant workers in Alang’s ship recycling sector Why training in local languages improves safety outcomes PPE, hot work safety, emergency preparedness, and hazardous material awareness Worker confidence, dignity, and recognition in ship recycling The role of Alang in steel recovery and the circular economy Why current conditions in Alang should be judged by present-day progress, not old perceptions