Unsung Heroes: The Plight and Triumphs of Sanitation Workers in India

Blog Writer: Aditya Bhuyan, Assistant Program Manager, Rewards & Recognition

I. Introduction

Sanitation workers in India play a pivotal role in maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of our communities. They are the backbone of India’s sanitation system. With a workforce exceeding five million individuals, they diligently collect waste from our homes, ensure the tidiness of our streets and public restrooms, and maintain sewer lines and septic tanks. It is because of the sanitation workers or ‘Safai Karmacharis’ that we observe the positive transformation in our surroundings, such as cleaner roads, consistent waste disposal, and well-kept public facilities. Among the sanitation workers are the manual scavengers who are responsible for cleaning septic tanks, dry pits, maintaining the sewer lines etc. Though, manual scavenging has been banned in India since 2013 in accordance with the ‘Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013’, it is still prevalent across the country. The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has announced that, among the nation's 766 districts, only 508 have officially declared themselves free from manual scavenging till 2022.

With an investment of thousands of crores on building sanitation infrastructure, the major focus has been on the demand side i.e., construction of individual household latrines (IHHL), sewer treatment plants, faecal sludge treatment plants, etc. However, the supply side which includes the sanitation workers has taken a back seat, especially during the first phase of SBM. Realizing the importance of the sanitation workers and their humble living conditions, various central and state-level schemes have been institutionalized such as the Sanitation Workers Rehabilitation Scheme, convergence of the SBM scheme with the National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) for integrating them as formal workforce and recently launched NAMASTE scheme.

The caste system in India since ancient times has taught that people from the lowest caste, as described by the Aryans, are supposed to clean toilets of people belonging to the upper caste. Even today, they mostly clean dry toilets and the sewer lines manually and that too without wearing any protective gear such as masks, gloves, rubber boots etc. Moreover, many such workers, primarily hailing from such caste groups and marginalized communities, face systemic exclusion or fail to avail of services such as fundamental healthcare and education services, government initiatives, social safety nets, and alternative avenues for livelihood. Beyond the severe social stigma and isolation that they endure, these workers face grave health risks as they come into direct contact with human waste. Tragically, a significant number of them lose their lives, particularly those involved in sewer line maintenance and cleaning due to the absence of essential safety measures and modern technologies. According to government statistics, 347 sanitation workers have lost their lives over the past five years till 2022. These individuals are regularly exposed to contagious illnesses and dangerous work settings , all while facing a shortage of proper personal protective equipment. 

II. The Crucial Role of Sanitation Workers and their working conditions

Sanitation workers serve as the link between the sanitation needs and the current sanitation infrastructure. They encompass everyone engaged in sanitation-related tasks, whether it's cleaning, upkeep, operation, or essentially serving as the sanitation backbone for numerous communities across India. These workers are engaged in various tasks throughout the sanitation value chain. Their responsibilities include cleaning various spaces, managing sewage systems, emptying septic tanks and drains, and operating sewage treatment plants, among other essential functions. Manual scavenging stands out as one of the most degrading and cruel forms of sanitation employment that still exists in India. This form of labour includes individuals performing duties like cleaning unhygienic dry latrines, overseeing sewer line maintenance and repair, and emptying septic tanks, frequently without access to the essential protective gear or supportive structures. Without any proper safety equipment, they put their own life in danger while earning the bare minimum in each shift. 

The working conditions of the sanitation workers (especially manual scavengers) put them at risk of exposure to hazardous gases such as hydrogen disulfide, carbon dioxide, ammonia, and methane. Prolonged exposure to hydrogen disulfide has been documented to potentially result in fatal asphyxiation, along with the possibility of individuals experiencing epileptiform convulsions, loss of consciousness, and ultimately, death. 

Deaths also appear to occur at a younger age among Safai Karmacharis, with their mean life expectancy at 58 years compared with 68.3 years in the general population in India. 

Gender plays a significant role in determining the extent of occupational health risks faced by scavengers. In India, women constitute over a major portion of the manual scavenger workforce, primarily assigned to the lowest-paying task of cleaning human excreta from dry latrines. Despite encountering stigma and bias, male scavengers have relatively easier access to rehabilitation and career advancement opportunities due to fewer household and childcare responsibilities. Moreover, men often engage in more skilled waste removal tasks involving machinery and transportation. 

  

III. Economic conditions, government Policies and Initiatives

Sanitation workers form a major section of the sanitation sector. The jobs they perform are paid the lowest. The average monthly income of sanitation workers is in the range of 4,100 INR (starting salary) to 13,400 INR (maximum salary) . 80% of sanitation workers are employed by private contractors and only 10% are employed by the municipality or any government department. Unlike all, there have been many instances where the sanitation workers are not paid a salary in time by these contractors. Moreover, their working conditions are very harsh with minimum employment and health protection benefits.  

Under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, various schemes have been initiated to improve the financial condition of sanitation workers such as the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme, National Safai Karmachari Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC)’s Sanitation Workers Rehabilitation Scheme (SWRS), etc. and various state-level schemes as well. Due to these NSKFDC welfare programs, a total of 4 lakh such workers have benefited till December 2020 with a total disbursement of 280cr. 

Among all the schemes by NSKFDC, the focus on health and safety provisions was missing until NAMASTE which was launched last year. The NAMASTE scheme was initiated keeping in mind the safety and dignity of sanitation workers in India by extending the benefits of already existing schemes such as Ayushyaman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PM-JJBY). However, in all these schemes, the provisions for the grievance monitoring system need more focus. Moreover, a more comprehensive online data repository needs to be developed so that the beneficiaries can again come back for any issues related to the schemes or additional support. 

In recent years, with an aim to demolish the practice of manual scavenging, the government has started to take steps towards mechanisation of the manual process. Under the Swachhta Udyami Yojana of NSKFDC, concessional loans are extended to safai karamcharis, manual scavengers, their dependants, as well as the Urban Local Bodies and other responsible agencies for the acquisition of sanitation-related equipment and vehicles, aimed at achieving complete mechanization of all cleaning operations. In the context of the Central Sector Self Employment Scheme for the Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS), capital subsidies of up to Rs. 5.00 lakh are provided, not only to manual scavengers but also to sanitation workers and their dependants, enabling them to procure instruments and vehicles for mechanized cleaning of sewers and septic tanks. This initiative also encompasses Skill Development Training provided to the sanitation workers including the manual scavengers including Rs 3000 as a stipend during the training period. Moreover, under the SRMS, several benefits have been granted, including a one-time Cash Assistance of Rs. 40,000 per family to all 58,098 eligible and identified manual scavengers. Additionally, capital subsidies of up to Rs. 5,00,000 have been awarded to 2,313 identified manual scavengers and their dependents to facilitate their engagement in alternative self-employment projects.

Due to such schemes as well as improved start-up scenarios in India, a few social ventures have come up with innovative solutions towards improving the lives of sanitation workers including manual scavengers such as Genrobotics, Spruce Up, Solinas, etc. to name a few. Initially, all these start-ups had to face challenges in terms of gaining traction from various government agencies. However, with time and implementation of the above-mentioned schemes, various local bodies and ULBs have started to buy these machineries. Apart from selling them, these start-ups also provide capacity building and hands-on training to the local workforce, empowering them to operate and maintain these machineries. For example, Bandicoot robot developed by Genrobotics has its presence in 19 states and 3 UTs. By providing robotic sanitation solutions to municipal corporations and government entities, Genrobotics has been able to create sustainable business models generating substantial revenue.

IV. Conclusion

The invaluable contributions of sanitation workers in India cannot be overstated, as they are the unsung heroes who ensure the cleanliness and hygiene of our communities. However, for the improvement of their livelihood conditions, it demands immediate attention and action. Based on the challenges and issues highlighted, a few recommendations can be made to improve the conditions and well-being of sanitation workers in India.

• Prioritize Safety and Health: The safety and health of sanitation workers must be paramount. Adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves, and boots should be provided to all workers. Additionally, modern technologies and equipment should be introduced to reduce the risks associated with manual scavenging and sewer line maintenance.

• Equal Opportunities for Women: Gender disparities in the sanitation workforce must be addressed. Special initiatives should be undertaken to provide equal opportunities and support for women in sanitation-related roles, including access to rehabilitation and career advancement opportunities.

• Fair Wages and Employment Benefits: Sanitation workers play a vital role in public health, and their wages should reflect this. Private contractors and municipal/government departments should ensure timely and fair payment. Moreover, sanitation workers should be provided with essential employment and health protection benefits.

• Strengthen Government Initiatives: Government schemes such as NAMASTE and NSKFDC's Sanitation Workers Rehabilitation Scheme are steps in the right direction, but they need to be further strengthened. Emphasis should be placed on the inclusion of effective grievance monitoring systems and the development of a comprehensive online data repository to track beneficiaries of sanitation worker welfare programs and facilitate easy access for workers seeking support or reporting issues related to the schemes. 

• Mechanisation of manual processes: This should be the way forward towards improving the working conditions of sanitation workers and eradicating the practice of manual scavenging in India. Moreover, local government bodies and ULBs should come forward and work towards mechanisation of these processes.