Manual Scavenging was banned from our country in 1993 and
yet this law continues to be flouted unabashedly. Since 1993, this open violation has led to
over 750 deaths of sewage cleaners, most of whom were the breadwinners for
their family. This high toll of human lives brings to light the shameless and
deplorable working conditions of this, class of workers. To counter this, the
government increased the penalty up to $7700 in fines and imprisonment of 5
years for employers who allowed workers to clean sewage manually or build
toilets requiring manual maintenance.
Current
Scenario:
Sewage cleaners today have no protective gear, but rather
strip down to their underwear and go down into the sludge. They sometimes spend
days cleaning human faeces and muck using scrapers, containers, and inadequate
brooms. Very often, the toxic gases, from the sludge take a toll. Despite the
1949 constitution banning casteism, these menial jobs reflect the sad state of
affairs – that these jobs are reserved for those considered ‘untouchables’. The
worst part is that the death tolls reported are actually lower than the actual
count, and no one has been convicted of violating this law. Despite several
social activists protesting against this practice, this job is continually
awarded to companies that use people to clean sewers manually.
The Way Forward – Technology
Despite the deaths and the protests, the only state to use
technology to clean sewers is Kerala. On March 2 2018, the state launched
‘Bandicoot’ the robot designed to clean sewers. This has ended the practice of
manual sewer cleaning in the state. The fact is that if one state can implement
such technology, all that other states need to do is replicate the technology
for better and safer sewage cleaning.
Some may say that the use of technology would take away
livelihood of those currently employed as sewage cleaners. This is true, since
there is no alternative put together to provide jobs to this class of workers. The
Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act,
2013 does not lay down any rules for alternative employment. A government
ruling in December 2013 mandated the use of mechanical devices and equipment to
clean sewers, while mentioning that in an ‘emergency’ people may be used for
the purpose. What the ruling does not specify is what is meant by ‘emergency’. Wily
contractors exploit this ‘loophole’ by employing people to clean sewers,
putting them at risk – after all, it is cheaper to employ people than buy /
hire machinery. It is time for the government, technology manufacturers, and
social activists to join hands to bring about a change immediately. We at Good
and Humble are dedicated and passionate towards this cause, and are making
efforts to ensure that this practice is done away with, and that sewage workers
get better conditions within which to work.