The inhumane and derogatory practice of “manual scavenging” is going on unfettered in national Capital even as the practice had been legally banned some 25 years ago. Cursed to enter the city drains in order to de-clog it, that too without adequate safety gears and measures, most of the sewage workers have no other alternative for sustaining their livelihood and even the authorities have literally failed to find their substitute despite of much technological advancement.
The public outcry that follows each sewer death, apparently goes in vain as it fails to bring any substantial change in the lives of the sewage workers. Manual scavenging was banned 25 years ago with the passing of the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993. These sewage workers who enter the city drain without adequate safety gears to protect them often have short-life span as the toxic gases within the “gutter” proves deadly and they fell prey to host of diseases related to skin and other ailments.
The Pioneer spoke to manual scavengers to delve into the unabated practice continuing right under the nose of civic administration in national Capital. Many of the manual scavengers or sewage cleaners are in this hazardous business from generations as they don’t know any other work for sustaining their families.
“We only know this work. What else can I do? This is the work being done from generation to generations. We are very well aware about the hazardous gas but for livelihood we are forced the sewer enter without proper equipments or most of time without any equipment at all,” said Raju, who works as a manual scavenger in Jahangirpuri industrial area.
Everyone in the area knows about Raju and where to find him, as away from his wife and children he sleeps in tea stall at Industrial area. Raju earns `4500-5000 per month can hardly sustain his family.
“I do work in industrial area and nearby residential complex. I have been living here for last 7 years and doing this work. Hoping for the better education and future of my children I have to do it as I don’t know any other work,” he said. There are many like Raju who did not want to be identified but have been doomed to eak out a living by doing this menial jo.
Kichripur near Patparganj, Gali No-2 is a resident to most of these manual scavengers/ sewage workers.
“Most of us living here are manual scavengers and people who want sewer cleaning come here to hire us. We work privately and we don’t have any safety equipments. If we are hired by private contractors who never provide us with safety gears,” said sewage cleaner who is 32-year-old and is doing this work since last eight years.
“Open drains are also badly designed, allowing people to dump solid waste into them, which accentuates the problem. Improper disposal of condoms, sanitary napkins and diapers clog the drains, which machines cannot clear,” says Sangram Singh, advocate in Delhi High court.
Various caste oriented research showed that majority of these labourers are Dalits, the lowest rung in the caste and social hierarchy. Generally, the “Balmiki” and “Hera” caste are associated with this work in India. Importantly, these subcastes within Dalits are considered as the lowest, and historically in India, these lower castes were labelled as the untouchables.
Sanjay Gehlot, president, MCD Swachta Karamchari Union said, “Traditionally only untouchables were supposed to do these jobs and after so many years still that is the scene across India.” According to him, the deaths of manual scavengers are nothing new since it has been happening for many years.
“There are many health hazards which these people are aware of, but there is no alternative for them. In most cases they are the only bread winners of the family and contractors keep provoking them to work,” said Gehlot.
“The civic bodies of the city do not provide any health aid to these workers. They are also not entitled to any economic benefit. In most cases, the civic bodies do not provide any compensation even when the workers die,” said Gehlot.
According to health expert Dr Narendra Kaloria, the manual scavengers due the work they indulge in are, most likely to carry Hepatitis A, E. Coli, Rotovirus, Norovirus and pinworms.
“The community risks infection by coming in contact with these wastes. That also explains why sewer workers die as young as 40, falling prey to multiple health issues: cholera, hepatitis, meningitis, typhoid and cardio-vascular problems. In fact, repeated handling of human excreta without protection leads to respiratory and skin diseases, anemia, jaundice, trachoma and carbon monoxide poisoning,” said Dr Kaloria.