'Rewarding' waste workers

In what was touted as a gesture of gratitude, the Punjab government recently awarded Rs10,000 worth of cheques and a meal to each of the 1,000 sanitation workers of the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company for their good work during Eid-ul-Azha.

While the ceremony under the 'Suthra Punjab' campaign was no doubt well-intentioned, this token appreciation cannot and should not be mistaken for genuine support.

A one-time handout cannot substitute for systemic support. Sanitation workers perform one of the most demanding and dangerous jobs in our cities, often without job security, protective equipment or access to basic benefits.

Offering them a meal and a token sum may seem like a kind gesture, but it falls far short of what these workers actually need and deserve. If they are indeed the "true heroes", then why are they still denied the most basic protections under the law?

Many continue to work without formal contracts, with wages below the minimum threshold. They are excluded from the social safety net, and most are not enrolled in EOBI pensions, depriving them of long-term financial security. Their work is essential to public health and urban sanitation, yet they remain among the most marginalised segments of the workforce.

True recognition requires more than ceremonial praise. These workers must be brought under formal labour protections. This includes regularised employment and enforcement of the minimum wage along with occupational health coverage and inclusion in EOBI and other government support schemes.

While symbolic gestures may generate headlines, they do little to change the material conditions of those they aim to honour. The government must move beyond performative appreciation and enact policies that reflect real respect for labour. That is the only way to repay the people who keep our cities clean day in and day out, without fail and without fanfare.