RIGHTS OF SEWAGE

WORKERS INTERVIEW
BY: AARUSH, VEDANT, DAIWIK, DHANESHWAR
QUESTIONS

1. What is the condition of Sanitation Workers in our Country (with respect to

their working conditions)
2. Are sanitation workers fairly paid or properly housed?
3. How many lives are lost due to Sanitation work in India?
4. What measures can be taken by the Government to improve the conditions of
these workers
5. What can the common person do in order to help these workers
6. Is educating the workers about their rights an important step in reducing their
exploitation?
Q1. What is the condition of Sanitation Workers in our Country ?

"The conditions were previously bad, However, as of recent times, especially under
the Modi Government, there has been improvement thanks to the Swachh Bharat
Abhiyan and other campaigns. Due to the combined effort of the Government and
the NGOs, we have seen the upliftment of sewage workers. Yes, the new norms
regarding safety and payment have not reached everywhere yet, but, hopefully we
are soon able to make them equally concerned with the problems faced by these
workers."
Q2. Are sanitation workers fairly paid or properly housed?

“They are paid but very poorly, they're paid as per their wage act. Housing is I
think their individual and is not given by the Govt but the salary that they get
has to be improved. The housing which they receive is mediocre at best and has
to be improved. Sanitation work is not well-paid work and most workers are daily
wagers or contractors whose incomes are erratic, making them highly vulnerable
to financial shocks. Often, their savings go into tackling health issues and
diseases caused by occupational hazards.”
Q3. How many lives are lost due to sanitation work in India?
He said, “There were many lives lost due to unhealthy conditions, but I dont have the numbers.” He
impressed upon the difference that Modi Government had brought upon the issue. According to him
the conditions improved and the was a decrease in the amount of deaths.

The numbers:

Prior to the Modi Government:- 23,000 deaths

After the Modi Government:- 347 deaths in the past 5 years

Q4. WHAT MEASURES CAN BE TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO
IMPROVE THE CONDITIONS OF THE WORKERS?
“The Govt has taken good steps towards it as I mentioned before by the Modi Govt and I think
housing and education. The BMC also purchased few suction machines for the workers, however,
there is still plenty of active human involvement in cleaning sewers.

Ironically, the workers themselves deny using the safety instruments provided by the Government.
They say they do not wear gloves or masks as wearing them makes others think that they are doing
dangerous work. They also feel that working without these equipment is easier.
Q5. What can the common person do in order to help these workers ?

“Common people can only adhere to the norms and help them in segregating as
per their requirements, keep everything in place for their ready pick up and don’t
Waste their time. Donating equipment, raising funds for these workers and
providing for a better living condition will improve their working conditions.”
Q6. Is educating the workers about their rights an important
step in reducing their exploitation ?
Education is the most important part, as they can then voice and fight for their rights and can only
do that by identifying that they are being exploited.

They can then fight for their rights regarding:

Medical care

Education

Housing and fair pay