Despite being prohibited the practice remains widespread and unmodernised, and violators are not punished
The death of five sanitation workers in Delhi is a grim reminder of the hostile conditions that confront manual scavenging in India. Manual scavenging has been prohibited by law. Yet, it remains unchecked. There is also a distinct lack of effort to make this objectionable occupation safe and dignified. This is the net result of institutional indifference.
The socio-economic and caste census of 2011 had identified 1,80,657 households of manual scavengers across India. The Safai Karmachari Andolan, an organization that works for the rights of sanitation workers, argues that the real figure is closer to more than six times the SECC’s estimate. At around 1.2 million, the figure matches the census’s estimate of 2.6 million dry latrines in the country.
The working conditions of these sanitation workers have remained virtually unchanged over the years. Apart from the social stigma that they face, sanitation workers are also exposed to certain health problems by virtue of their occupation. These health hazards include exposure to harmful gases, cardiovascular degeneration, musculoskeletal disorders, hepatitis, leptospirosis and skin problems.
There have been two legislations concerning this particular occupation.The first — the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act 1993 — provides for the prohibition of employment of manual scavengers and the construction of dry latrines. However, a clear conflict of interest was created on account of certain provisions in the act, which stated that prosecution for any offence under it shall not be instituted except with the previous sanction of the executive authority, and that no court shall take cognizance of any offence under this act save for a complaint made by a person authorized by the executive authority. The judiciary was hardly allowed to intervene and the executive, by virtue of the two provisions, ensured that very few prosecutions were filed in the court of law to punish offenders.
Please click here to read more.