Eradicating Manual Scavenging | 09 Jan 2025

Source: PIB

Why in News?

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) organised an open house discussion on ‘Dignity and Liberty of the Individuals- Rights of Manual Scavengers’. 

What are the Major Challenges Faced by Manual Scavengers? 

• Health: Manual scavengers are frequently exposed to human waste, which contains numerous pathogens.  
  • This exposure makes them highly susceptible to diseases such as Hepatitis, tetanus, and cholera. 
  • The presence of poisonous gases like hydrogen sulphide in septic tanks poses a serious risk of asphyxiation, which can lead to sudden death. 
  • According to the government data, 377 persons have died from 2019 to 2023 due to hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks. 
• Social Stigma: Manual scavengers are stigmatized and treated as untouchables, reinforcing social exclusion and perpetuating the caste system. 
• Economic Challenges: Manual scavengers are paid meager amounts, often below the minimum wage, keeping them trapped in a cycle of poverty. 
  • They are employed on a contractual or daily-wage basis, without job security or benefits. 
• Double Discrimination: Women, who form a significant portion of manual scavengers, face double discrimination in the form of gender and inequality such as sexual harassment and exploitation, alongside societal stigma. 
• Psychological Issues: The social stigma attached to the profession often causes significant mental health challenges, such as anxiety and depression. 
• Drug Use: To cope with the stress and stigma of their precarious work, many manual scavengers resort to drug use, which further exacerbates their health problems.

What is the Supreme Court Guideline on Manual Scavenging? 

• Dr. Balram Singh Case, 2023: The SC issued 14 directions to the Union, State and UTs to completely eradicate manual scavenging ranging from forming guidelines and policies, rehabilitation, compensation,etc. Some of them are:  
  • Eradication of Manual Sewer Cleaning: Phased measures to eliminate manual sewer cleaning. 
  • Rehabilitation of Sewage Workers: Compensation (Rs 30 lakhs for death, Rs 10-20 lakhs for disabilities), employment for next of kin, and education for dependents. 
  • Accountability for Outsourced Work: Accountability mechanisms, including contract cancellations and penalties. 
  • NALSA Involvement in Compensation: NALSA to manage compensation disbursement and models. 
  • Monitoring and Transparency: A portal to track deaths, compensation, and rehabilitation 

Way Forward  

• Mechanization: The introduction of automated or semi-automated equipment offers a safer, more efficient way to manage sanitation work. 
  • Robotic arms or vacuum trucks can carry out this work remotely, reducing human exposure to dangerous environments. 
• OHS Standards: Recognising sanitation work as a hazardous occupation under the Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code 2020 (OSH Code 2020) could transform safety standards and enforcement. 
• Health Screenings: Implement periodic health screenings for sanitation workers across all ULBs, focusing on respiratory and dermatological conditions, with clear treatment and prevention protocols. 
  • Expand the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) to include the health and dignity of sanitation workers, focusing on safety and empowerment. 
• Capacity Building: Provide capacity-building training and safety gear for workers. Offer financial assistance for technological innovations in hazardous waste cleaning.  
  • Incentivize mechanization, train workers, and empower women-led SHGs for sustainable livelihoods