By Seela Subba Rao Despite the enactment of The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, the practice of using direct human labour in cleaning sewage and septic tanks prevails. The Safai Mitra Suraksha Challenge, launched in 2020, was aimed at mechanising the cleaning operation of septic and sewage tank in […]
By Seela Subba Rao
Despite the enactment of The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, the practice of using direct human labour in cleaning sewage and septic tanks prevails. The Safai Mitra Suraksha Challenge, launched in 2020, was aimed at mechanising the cleaning operation of septic and sewage tank in 243 cities by April 2021. But no progress has been made so far.
It is estimated that around 50 lakh sanitation workers are engaged in cleaning garbage, sewage tanks and public toilets spread over the country. They come under the essential category and are on the frontline.
Safai Karmacharis
The mandate of the National Commission for Safai Karmacharis (NCSK) set up on 12 August 1994 underwent a complete change after the enactment of the above-mentioned Act in 2013. The prime functions of the commission are to monitor the implementation of the Rehabilitation Act and inquire into the complaints regarding contravention of the provisions if any. Apart from advising Central and State governments, the commission also takes suo motu notice of matters relating to non-implementation of the Rehabilitation Act. The commission helps in framing programmes for the welfare and health of sanitation workers.
At present, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing a few schemes, namely pre-Matric scholarships to the children of those involved in cleaning and prone to health hazards and a self-employment scheme for rehabilitation of manual scavengers. Recently, the union Cabinet approved a three-year extension of the tenure of the commission, set to end on 31 March 2022.
Pathetic Conditions
In spite of the NCSK, the plight of sanitation workers and manual scavengers has not improved much. Many causalities are being reported mainly because the workers are compelled to enter septic tanks without any safety gear. Key challenges and risks faced by sanitation workers are:
• They are exposed to multiple occupational and environmental hazards. Hence, the health and safety of the sanitation workers are paramount.
• Since sanitation workers in certain pockets are working in the unorganised sector, they are under the clout of weak legal protection. There is a necessity to protect their just demands and rights.
• The informal and temporary sanitation workers are poorly paid and their income can be unpredictable, resulting in financial insecurity.
• Unskilled sanitation workers often face social stigma and discrimination. This stigma compounds the social ostracising and limitation on social mobility. Their children also struggle to escape the vicious cycle of limited opportunities and sanitation work.
It is difficult to eliminate the causalities/mishaps overnight in the informal sector, but one would expect institutions like Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, other local government bodies and government offices to be more proactive in ending such human losses. It is a matter of concern that even after the enforcement of the Rehabilitation Act, 2013, manual scavenging activities are undertaken without adhering to safety norms.
Focus Areas
The plight of the sanitation workers comes to light only when media reports flash out the cases of death of sanitation workers in manholes or when a city is confronted with faecal waste. To address the critical conditions and risks exposed by the sanitation workers, the following areas need the urgent attention of society in general and the government in particular.
• Adoption of improved practices, technology, use of PPE such as gloves, full-body suits, boots, glasses, gas detectors, avoiding manual practices.
• Adequate health services such as vaccination, regular health check-ups along with health insurance facility.
• Standard operating procedures and local-level guidelines for septic tank desludging, manhole cleaning and etc have to be developed.
• Workers’ empowerment through the formation of unions/associations. Trade unions play an important role in improving their working conditions such as employment contracts and terms, regular pay and health insurance.
• Sanitation workers employed on a permanent basis either through the public sector or private companies are better paid than their informal counterparts. By introducing a new social enterprise model, it would safeguard workers and create sanitation jobs in the formal market.
The National Commission for Safai Karmcharis needs to be more proactive in addressing the woes of the workers. The working conditions under which the sanitation workers discharge their duties need focus for further improvement. Innovative methods such as mechanisation of manual activities of sweeping roads and pavements, cleaning toilets, and septic tanks must be adopted on the lines followed by countries like the US, UK.
The commission being a temporary non-statutory body is usually given a 3-year extension from time to time. It works under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and does not enjoy the powers of civil court as in the case of other statutory bodies like the National Commission for Minorities and the National Commission for Women. Hence, there is a need to confer statutory status on it to make it more effective.
Further, the commission does not have regional/State offices except in a few States like Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka. More State offices must be opened. Introduction of more welfare schemes and providing safety material to these workers would go a long way in enriching their lives.
Regardless of one’s occupation, the dignity of labour should be our candid philosophy. Since the sanitation workers are also frontline workers, the government should take care of them in the unorganised sector. We fail in our duty if we do not honour them as angels of cleanliness which is next to godliness.
Now you can get handpicked stories from Telangana Today on Telegram everyday. Click the link to subscribe.
Click to follow Telangana Today Facebook page and Twitter .