“THE INVISIBLES”: AN INSIGHT INTO THE CHALLENGES FACED BY THE SANITATION AND ALLIED WORKERS IN INDIA

Abstract

Sanitation work, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), encompasses tasks such as emptying toilets, pits, and septic tanks; entering sewers to fix or unblock them; transporting faecal waste; working in treatment plants; and cleaning public toilets or areas around homes. Sanitation workers provide an essential public service, often at the expense of their dignity, safety, health, and living conditions. This highly vulnerable, invisible, and unquantified segment of society faces severe occupational and environmental health hazards, which risk illness, injury, and death. The right to a clean, healthy, and safe environment is a non-derogable and inalienable fundamental right for every citizen, as guaranteed by Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. However, sanitation workers are frequently denied this right, as they risk their lives and safety to ensure that others can enjoy a safe and healthy environment. The right to live with dignity remains an unfulfilled dream for these workers.

This paper examines the occupational health risks faced by sanitation workers and highlights their socio-economic insecurities. Additionally, it explores the constitutional and legal safeguards provided to sanitation workers in India, aiming to shed light on their current plight and propose measures for their upliftment. Despite existing constitutional protections, such as the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, sanitation workers continue to face significant challenges due to weak enforcement and implementation of these laws. It emphasizes the need for effective policy interventions and societal recognition to improve the living and working conditions of sanitation workers, ensuring their rights and dignity are upheld.