Manual Scavenging: Plea of Death and Discrimination

Manual scavenging is the practice of manually cleaning, handling, and disposing of human excreta and other waste materials from dry latrines, open drains, and sewers. It is a degrading practice that involves the use of rudimentary and often hazardous tools, such as brooms, buckets, and baskets. This practice exposes individuals to serious health risks, injuries, and even death.

Some Facts and Figures

• According to the 2011 Census of India, over 740,000 households in the country still practiced manual scavenging. This practice is often linked to the caste system, where individuals from lower castes, particularly Dalits, are forced into this degrading work. Between 2016 and 2019, the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis reported that 482 manual scavengers died while cleaning sewers and septic tanks across India.
• The Safai Karamchari Andolan, a group advocating for the eradication of manual scavenging, estimates that approximately 1.8 million people in India are still involved in this practice. The International Labour Organization (ILO) defines manual scavenging as the disposal of human excreta from dry latrines, public streets, and the maintenance of septic tanks, sewers, and gutters.
• Although the practice is found in other parts of the world, it is most prevalent in India, where over 90% of manual scavengers belong to scheduled castes (SC). This work is seen as one of the most degrading forms of untouchability. In 2018, it was reported that around 58,098 people were engaged in manual scavenging, and since 1993, 941 individuals have died due to accidents while cleaning sewers and septic tanks.

Reasons for persistence of Manual scavanging

• Inefficient Sewage Management System: In India, many municipalities lack modern machines for cleaning sewage systems, requiring workers to enter underground sewer lines through manholes. Contractors often hire unskilled laborers at a low daily wage, exploiting the cost benefits of employing cheaper, informal labor.
• Caste-based Social Hierarchy: Manual scavenging is deeply rooted in India’s caste system, where marginalized castes are often relegated to occupations deemed “unclean” or “polluting.” Persistent caste-based discrimination and social stigma contribute to the continuation of manual scavenging as a livelihood for these marginalized communities.
• Lack of Alternative Livelihood Opportunities: Manual scavenging endures due to a lack of alternative employment for affected communities. Many scavengers are trapped in a cycle of poverty and exclusion, without access to education or skill-development programs that could provide them with alternative job options, forcing them to rely on manual scavenging for survival.
• Gender Inequality: Most provisions for rehabilitation under the scheme lack gender sensitivity, focusing on men even though approximately 95-98% of manual scavengers are women.
• Loan Provisions: A key aspect of the scheme includes providing loans with subsidies. However, offering loans to vulnerable communities, compelled by a caste-based system and subjected to social, political, and economic exclusion, is not a sustainable solution.
• Loan Defaults: Under the Scheme for the Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS), most loans were issued by banks with a 50% subsidy. However, much of the subsidy went toward interest payments, causing those unable to keep up with repayments to become “defaulters.”
• Rural Disparities: According to the SRMS Survey, around 60% of those involved in manual scavenging reside in rural areas (large villages and settlements), but the scheme’s focus was primarily on urban regions, neglecting rural needs.
• Caste-related Issues: Government programs have emphasized financial aspects of rehabilitation but have largely failed to address the caste-based oppression and social conditions that perpetuate manual scavenging.
• Corruption: An SRMS survey in Madhya Pradesh revealed that over 165 women involved in manual scavenging were not listed as beneficiaries. Only districts with more than 302 women were included in the program, and overall, only 10% of manual scavengers were actually included, leading to eligible individuals missing out on benefits while ineligible ones profited.

Effects of Manual Scavenging

• Health Risks: Manual scavengers are exposed to numerous health hazards due to their direct contact with human waste and other toxic substances. This exposure puts them at high risk for diseases like cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, and respiratory infections. The lack of protective equipment and inadequate sanitation conditions further worsen these risks, resulting in frequent illnesses and often leading to premature death among scavengers.
• Violation of Dignity and Human Rights: The practice of manual scavenging is a blatant violation of human dignity and fundamental rights. Workers face degrading and inhumane conditions, often handling human waste without protective gear or access to basic sanitation. This occupation reinforces caste-based oppression and perpetuates social stigma, discrimination, and marginalization of these communities.
• Psychological and Emotional Impact: The experience of manual scavenging can cause deep psychological and emotional harm. Continuous exposure to unsanitary conditions, coupled with the indignity of the work and societal discrimination, negatively affects mental health. Manual scavengers frequently struggle with feelings of shame, low self-esteem, and depression, which can lead to long-lasting psychological trauma.

Hurdles in stopping manual scavenging

• Social Stigma: Manual scavenging is closely linked to certain castes and communities, leading to social discrimination and stigma against those involved in the practice.
• Lack of Awareness: Many people remain unaware of the serious health risks associated with manual scavenging, which contributes to the continuation of this hazardous occupation.
• Insufficient Enforcement: Although laws and regulations prohibit manual scavenging, their enforcement has been inadequate in many regions, allowing the practice to persist.
• Inadequate Sanitation Infrastructure: In various parts of India, the lack of adequate sanitation infrastructure forces individuals to manually clean sewage systems, perpetuating manual scavenging.
• Insufficient Rehabilitation Support: Many rehabilitation programs have not been effectively implemented, leaving people without access to alternative livelihoods and trapping them in manual scavenging roles.

Case Study: The Mehtar Family and Manual Scavenging in Kalaburagi, Karnataka

Background:
On January 28, 2021, tragedy struck the Mehtar family in Kalaburagi, North Karnataka. Lala Mohammad Sheikh Mehtar, 35, and his nephew, Rashid Sheikh Mehtar, 30, died, likely due to exposure to toxic gases while clearing a clogged sewer at a local temple complex. Both were part of a multi-generational family of sanitation workers.

Family History and Work Conditions:
The Mehtar family has a long history of working in sanitation. Burhan Sheikh Mehtar, the 55-year-old father of Lala and uncle of Rashid, has been a sanitation worker with the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board since 1982, dedicating nearly 40 years to cleaning blocked gutters and sewer lines. Despite his decades of service, Burhan explains, “Like my father before me, the only work I do is manual scavenging.” However, official records show him as a Water Board employee to avoid recognition of manual scavenging within government ranks.

Early Involvement of the Younger Generation:
Following the family tradition, Burhan’s sons and grand-nephews began assisting him at job sites in their early teenage years. In time, they were drawn into informal agreements with local contractors linked to the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board. These contractors employ many residents for sanitation tasks in Kalaburagi, a town with over half a million residents.

Working Conditions:
The job primarily involved unblocking drains and sewers under hazardous conditions. Employment was based on informal contracts, offering no job security, welfare benefits, or safety equipment. The workers were left unprotected in the face of significant health and safety risks, which, in this case, ultimately led to the tragic loss of Lala and Rashid.

Conclusion:
The Mehtar family’s story illustrates the perilous reality of manual scavenging, a practice often denied in official records but deeply entrenched within local systems. This case highlights the urgent need for formal recognition, safer working conditions, and adequate protection measures for sanitation workers across India.

What could  be done?

1. Comprehensive Socio-Economic Rehabilitation:
   A robust rehabilitation scheme must be designed to offer both social and economic support for families freed from manual scavenging. Key components should include adequate compensation, educational opportunities, housing, and employment options.
2. Gender-Sensitive Approaches:
   Rehabilitation schemes should be restructured to address the needs of women, who constitute 98% of the manual scavenging workforce and are often trapped in this exploitative cycle. Tailoring these programs specifically to support women is essential for effective empowerment and rehabilitation.
3. Government Appointments in ICDS Centers:
   In hiring for roles such as assistants and cooks at Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) centers, preference should be given to Dalit women, especially those from communities traditionally engaged in manual scavenging. This can create sustainable employment opportunities for these marginalized groups.
4. Equal Opportunities for Dalit Muslim and Dalit Christian Manual Scavengers:
   Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians involved in manual scavenging should be granted the same benefits and protections as manual scavengers from scheduled castes. Equitable policies are essential for ensuring comprehensive support across communities.
5. Indian Railways and the Elimination of Dry Latrines:
   The Indian Railways, the nation’s largest user of dry latrines, should immediately ban this practice. The Railway Ministry should provide annual updates to Parliament over the next three years to track progress towards the complete abolition of dry latrines on trains.
6. Prioritizing Manual Scavenger Families in Government Schemes:
   Families engaged in or recently liberated from manual scavenging should be prioritized in government welfare programs. Ensuring their inclusion will help break cycles of poverty and exclusion.
7. Utilizing Technology to Eradicate Manual Scavenging:
   Ending manual scavenging requires the adoption of effective technology. With around 15 innovations already developed nationwide, utilizing these technologies is essential to safely replace manual scavenging practices and eliminate the need for this hazardous work.

The End of the Blog: Manual Scavenging: Plea of Death and Discrimination