Safety Net for Mahouts

Assurance for the Family
What happens to the family when the bread earner – for instance, a mahout is trampled by an elephant? Does the people who work with wild animals given any insurance coverage? In case of fatality or injury, what’s the compensation given by the employer?

I had this thought when I read about a recent elephant rampage. It’s during the temple procession season when Kerala witnesses many case of elephant going berserk. When such a thing happens, it’s usually the elephant keepers who get hurt or stamped. I guess such incidents peaks at the time when elephant gets MUSTH!

Kerala alone, accounts for most death from tramping. And, this is a worrisome news.

My question here is this:

• What is the kind of compensation does these mahouts get? Do they have mandatory life insurance?
• What about another other job like a hotel cleaner, a mechanic, electrician, etc? Do they have insurance? Is it their personal liability to take an insurance? Who oversees these? 
• What about a auto driver or a taxi driver? Can’t we make it mandatory for them to take an insurance or medical policy? 

Life Insurance and Support for Mahots 

I think of the family members who are dependent on the earning of these workers and in the case of any causality  when I think of the family where such a death has happened? Imagine, the only bread earning member is lost, who will take care of them in the short run? What’s is their social net? Who will take care of the daily needs?

I hope, the caretakers or the institutions such as Devasom Board who employs mahots for temple procession, etc has some type of medical or life insurance coverage for people taking care of elephants.