The system is not clean

The Suthra Punjab Campaign was initiated with the noble aim of improving sanitation standards across Punjab. However, the campaign’s implementation has been criticized for its focus on superficial measures rather than addressing the deep-rooted issues faced by the sanitary workers. Despite the campaign’s intention to elevate sanitation standards, there has been little to no substantial improvement in the lives of the sanitary workers.

On June 22 this year, the Punjab chief minister distributed commendation certificates among the sanitary workers for the excellent cleanliness arrangements on Eid. However, much work is needed by the provincial authorities to uplift the dignity and rights of workers in the province.

The campaign’s progress is marked by clean-up drives and awareness initiatives, but it has largely failed to ensure the provision of proper safety gear and equipment for the workers and many sanitary workers continue to operate without essential protective equipment, which exposes them to hazardous waste, toxic chemicals, and infectious diseases.

A letter issued by the Punjab Local Government Board states that “Perusal of the reports received from all 229 local governments on Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company dashboard revealed that most LGs either have less quantity of safety gears for sanitary workers or don’t have it at all”.

This negligence has led to numerous instances where workers have lost their lives in the line of duty, highlighting the dire need for reforms in occupational safety standards. A study titled ‘Shame and Stigma in Sanitation’ revealed that between 2011 and 2021, approximately nine workers died in Sindh, along with 11 in Punjab and one in Islamabad. In Pakistan, no law has been enacted so far to ban manual scavenging.

Sanitary workers in Punjab face dire working conditions, a lack of proper equipment, and inadequate job security, which collectively paints a grim picture of systemic neglect and exploitation. This not only jeopardizes their health but also violates basic labour rights. The absence of protective gear and adequate training means that these workers are frequently at risk of severe injuries, illnesses, and even fatalities.

The government heavily relies on Christian workers for sanitary work, as many Muslims have refused to do this job. According to WaterAid Pakistan, 80 per cent of sanitation workers in Pakistan are Christians, despite them making up just 2.0 per cent of the general population according to the 2023 census.

Economically, the situation is equally bleak. Many sanitary workers are employed on a daily wage basis without any formal employment contracts, which leaves them vulnerable to exploitation and job insecurity. In metropolitan cities, employment is being outsourced to third-party vendors and they are forced to work on the terms and conditions of those vendors. It is said that most public offices are going to eliminate regular vacancies for sanitation workers and are converting sanitation workers into ‘contingency staff’ category.

So instead of getting health, social security and other pensionary benefits, workers are compelled to work on compromised wages on a daily basis with ‘thekedars’, which is sheer violation of national labor laws. This exploitation does not end here; ‘thekedars’ further pressurize workers to bring their own equipment if they wish to be employed. This practice must be repudiated and their services must be regularized.

The Punjab Labour Policy should be revised to include a dedicated chapter on sanitation workers, or a separate law specifically for them should be introduced. This precarious employment arrangement denies them the benefits usually linked with permanent jobs, such as health insurance, pensions, or paid leave. Moreover, the lack of regularization has trapped these workers in a cycle of poverty, as their meagre wages fail to keep up with the rising cost of living.

Sanitation workers are continuously demanding job security. Hundreds of workers from various districts in Punjab petitioned the Service Tribunal, which directed authorities to regularize their employment. In response, the local government granted them ‘permanent workman’ status instead of making them ‘regular employees.’ As permanent workmen, they remain ineligible for pension benefits.

The workers challenged this before the Lahore High Court, with nearly 20 writ petitions filed by hundreds of workers across the province, seeking their conversion from ‘permanent workmen’ to ‘regular employees.’ A representative of the secretary of local government appeared before the court, withdrew the earlier orders declaring them permanent workmen, and pledged to issue new directives.

Now, the workers are looking towards the local government authorities for deciding their fate; the response from local governments has been largely insufficient. Many municipalities have not fully complied with these court orders, continuing to employ sanitary workers on a temporary basis without the benefits or protections that come with regular employment.

This non-compliance perpetuates the cycle of exploitation and financial instability among sanitary workers. The reluctance of the government and municipal bodies to regularize the services of these workers also violates the fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution of Pakistan. Pakistan is a signatory to various international conventions, including ILO conventions that advocate for safe working environments and the rights of workers to decent work. The continued neglect and mistreatment of sanitary workers is contrary to these international commitments, reflecting a broader disregard for global labour standards and human rights obligations.

The treatment of sanitary workers in Punjab also stands in stark violation of constitutional guarantees and fair labour practices. Specifically, Article 9 of the constitution ensures the right to life and liberty, while Article 14 upholds the dignity of the individual and Article 25 prohibits any form of discrimination and exploitation. By failing to provide sanitary workers with safe working conditions and regular employment, the government is failing to uphold these constitutional guarantees on all fronts.

The chief minister of Punjab has publicly acknowledged the matchless performance of sanitary workers by calling them ‘heroes of the nation’ and giving them letters of appreciation; though this does not seem to extend to providing them with job security. Despite supportive statements, the implementation of promised reforms and court directives has been slow, and many sanitary workers continue to face the same challenges.

The Suthra Punjab Campaign must be redefined with clear goals, timelines, and accountability mechanisms to ensure its promises are met. The efforts of local governments, though well-intentioned, have not been translated into significant improvements for the workers on the ground.

It is time activists and rights-based organizations, striving to protect the dignity of the marginalized classes, initiate campaigns and hold policy dialogues to play a constructive role in the formulation of a unified service policy and service structures for sanitation workers so as to protect and ensure their basic rights to life, livelihood, and equality.

The writer is an advocate. He can be reached at:

mudassar.clc@gmail.com