Manual Scavenging and Trends
Kartavya Desk Staff
Context: A recent social audit by the Ministry of Social Justice revealed that over 90% of workers who died cleaning sewers in 2022–23 lacked any safety gear, raising serious concerns about implementation of safety norms despite the ban on manual scavenging.
About Manual Scavenging and Trends:
• Manual scavenging refers to the manual cleaning, carrying, or handling of human excreta from dry latrines, sewers, or septic tanks, a practice officially banned under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.
• Disturbing Trends: 150 deaths due to hazardous sewer cleaning recorded in 2022–23. In 49 of 54 audited deaths, no safety equipment was provided. Consent or counselling before hazardous cleaning was missing in over half the cases. Majority of workers were contracted informally, evading legal safeguards.
• 150 deaths due to hazardous sewer cleaning recorded in 2022–23.
• In 49 of 54 audited deaths, no safety equipment was provided.
• Consent or counselling before hazardous cleaning was missing in over half the cases.
• Majority of workers were contracted informally, evading legal safeguards.
• NAMASTE Scheme (2023): A government initiative to address hazardous sewer cleaning and promote mechanisation. Over 84,000 workers identified, but only 50% have PPE access so far.
Relevance in UPSC Syllabus:
• GS Paper II (Governance, Social Justice): Welfare Schemes for vulnerable sections (NAMASTE). Issues related to SC/ST and minorities—manual scavenging disproportionately affects Dalit communities.
• Welfare Schemes for vulnerable sections (NAMASTE).
• Issues related to SC/ST and minorities—manual scavenging disproportionately affects Dalit communities.
• GS Paper III (Security & Disaster Management): Occupational hazards and worker safety standards. Lack of safety equipment and institutional response in hazardous sectors.
• Occupational hazards and worker safety standards.
• Lack of safety equipment and institutional response in hazardous sectors.
• GS Paper IV (Ethics): Violation of dignity of labour, lack of informed consent, and state responsibility. Ethical failures in governance and duty of care by public institutions.
• Violation of dignity of labour, lack of informed consent, and state responsibility.
• Ethical failures in governance and duty of care by public institutions.