On: 28th December 2024, Saturday
At: Constitution Club of India, Dy. Speaker Hall, New Delhi
From: 10:00 am- 4:00 pm
SAMAJ WEEKLY UK-
Zindabaad Saathiyon,
Jai Bhim & Hul Johar!
Despite being outlawed, the practice of manual scavenging continues to claim the lives of sewer workers across India. In 2024 alone, there has been a surge in fatalities across major areas such as Anand Vihar, Rohini, Noida, Sultanpuri, Bakkarwala, Sarita Vihar, Faridabad, and Sarojini Nagar of Delhi-NCR, underlining the deeply rooted systemic failures to safeguard its workers engaged in the most hazardous jobs in urban sanitation.
These deaths not only expose the grave neglect towards the safety of workers but also point out the lack of enforcement of laws that prohibit manual scavenging. The families of the deceased workers are left to struggle with emotional, financial, and social trauma without sufficient compensation or support. Most importantly, the concerning aspect is the lack of transparency surrounding some of these deaths. A known example is the deaths that took place in Sarojini Nagar (Delhi) in October this year (2024), where the details of sewer workers have not been disclosed by the administrator, raising serious concerns about the investigation of such deaths and highlighting the systemic apathy.
Each year hundreds of lives are lost in the line of duty. These workers, who mostly come from marginalised communities, underprivileged and uneducated backgrounds, are exposed to life-threatening risks as they carry out manual scavenging. Unfortunately, most of these deaths occur due to the lack of safety measures, improper equipment, no training and supervision, and negligence by hiring authorities. Although there are provisions that criminalise manual scavenging and mandate rehabilitation for workers, they are not invoked during investigations of sewer worker deaths. In many cases, the administration fails to recognise that a worker’s death occurred while engaged in manual scavenging, thus preventing the family from receiving the proper compensation or justice.
Additionally, the lack of awareness about the Manual Scavenging Act (2013) among law enforcement officials is another contributing factor to the continued exploitation of sewer workers. Even when the Act is cited, the enforcement of its provisions is often fragile and inconsistent. Many families are left without compensation for longer periods, while perpetrators remain free from punishment.
Another significant aspect of this issue is the way private owners and companies respond when a sewer worker dies on the job; their families are either pressured into settling the case quietly with the owners and companies or offered a minimal amount of compensation in exchange for a quick resolution. Most of these sewer and septic tank workers are the primary breadwinners in their households, and their untimely deaths plunge their families into financial and social turmoil while creating an epitome of devastation for them. Many of these workers and their families lack the resources to navigate the legal processes involved in claiming compensation. The prolonged delay in receiving compensation exacerbates their suffering, and in some cases, the families are left without any financial support, forcing them into further poverty. Even the social exclusion further compounds their hardship, as they struggle not only to cope with the emotional and financial toll of the loss but also to contend with the social stigma associated with the work their loved ones did.
In addition to the tragic loss of life among sewer workers, those employed on a contractual basis face grave exploitation and mistreatment. Many contractual sewer workers are denied fair wages, proper safety equipment, and social security. These workers face arbitrary dismissal, wage theft, and removal or suspension for raising concerns about their working conditions. Even when legal avenues are pursued, the situation remains largely unchanged. In November 2023, hundreds of contractual sewer workers were unpredictedly removed by contractors working for the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), with no prior notice, and had not received their pending salaries for several months. Despite efforts by workers and various unions to demand justice, the situation remains unresolved. In April 2024, after sustained pressure, only a handful of workers were able to secure their jobs and due salaries, but hundreds of others remain unpaid and unemployed.
The Dalit Adivasi Shakti Adhikar Manch (DASAM), in collaboration with various organisations, has focused its efforts on facilitating contractual sewer workers and meeting administrative bodies to resolve their issues. Given the present situation, we feel the need to call for a public hearing. This public hearing aims to bring together sewer and septic tank workers, families of victims of manual scavenging, unions, government officials, researchers, academicians, and members of civil society, examining the role of public and private institutions in this continuous crisis and providing a platform for the families and workers to voice their testimonies and explore the deep-rooted causes of these tragedies, exploitation, lack of compensation for workers who have died on the job, and the systemic negligence in addressing the issue, and the urgent need for justice, reform, and accountability. This platform will also examine the legal and policy frameworks governing sanitation workers in Delhi-NCR and explore ways forward to protect their rights and ensure justice for those who have lost their lives.
The primary objectives of this public hearing are:
- To provide a platform for families of sewer workers to share their personal experiences, highlighting the systemic negligence, exploitation, and discrimination faced by these vulnerable workers.
- To investigate whether families have received adequate compensation and whether perpetrators have been held accountable.
- To examine the role of law enforcement agencies in addressing the issues faced by sewer workers and to identify any lapses in their response.
- To raise public consciousness about the plight of sewer workers and the urgent need for reforms to protect their rights.
- To educate sewer workers about their rights, including fair wages, job security, and safe working conditions, and to empower them to demand these rights.
- To advocate for systemic reforms to address the root causes of the issues faced by sewer workers and to ensure their safety and well-being.
However, we will be sharing the details of the panelists very soon.
The public hearing will be held on 28th December 2024, Saturday, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Dy. Speaker Hall, Constitution Club of India, New Delhi, and we request you to attend the hearing and mark your valuable presence.
Organized by: Dalit Adivasi Shakti Adhikar Manch (DASAM) | Delhi Jal Board Sewer Department Mazdoor Sangathan | All DJB Employees Welfare Association | Jal Mal Kaamgaar Sangharsh Morcha | Municipal Workers Lal Jhanda Union (CITU) | Delhi Jal Board Karamchari Union | Institute for Democracy and Sustainability (IDS) | People’s Resource Center (PRC) | Sewerage and Allied Workers Forum (SSKM) | Peoples Media Advocacy & Resource Centre (PMARC) | Magadh Foundation | Indian Sanitation Studies Collective (ISSC)
For more details contact: Ashok Kumar (+91 7065721374), Mohsina Akhter (+91 8491052270) [email protected]
In solidarity
Sanjeev Kumar
Dalit Adivasi Shakti Adhikar Manch (DASAM)
