In a tragic incident, two sanitation workers lost their lives while attempting to clear a blocked sewage line near a residential apartment in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Karachi. The dehumanisation of sanitation workers in Pakistan is a longstanding issue resulting in the denial of their basic rights and safety. Despite the availability of modern machinery for cleaning sewers and gutters, manual scavenging continues to be widespread across the country. According to media reports, numerous complaints had been made to the KWSB helpline regarding a blockage for the past five days. With no response from the authorities, the residents union took the matter into their own hands and hired private sweepers when sewage water began entering their homes.
As usual, KWSB assumed minimal responsibility, asserting that a complaint was lodged on Friday. They explained that due to the weekend, cleaning vehicles were not available until Monday and the residents union was assured of assistance. While this explanation may hold some truth, it is challenging to accept, considering KWSB’s historical inadequacies in effectively addressing sanitation and sewerage issues in the city. Sanitation workers have time and again borne the brunt of the deficiencies of the authorities along with facing discrimination and harsh treatment. The majority of sanitation workers belong to minority groups and are consistently denied minimum wages. As a result, they are often compelled to undertake extra and sometimes dangerous tasks.
Safeguarding sanitation workers and their rights is rarely a priority on anyone’s agenda. Their prolonged isolation and marginalisation have rendered them nearly invisible resulting in little outcry when they face fatalities. Civil rights movements have also failed to garner the same level of attention. The only way forward is for citizens to actively advocate for sanitation workers and demand justice on their behalf. We must accord these invaluable and industrious individuals the respect they deserve and ensure they receive their rightful rights.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 19th, 2024.
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