<p>A recent social audit of hazardous sewer and septic tank cleaning across the country has again brought out the persistence of a shameful and inhuman practice, despite the existence of legislation against it. The audit commissioned by the Social Justice Ministry in September 2023 found that over 90 per cent of the workers who died while cleaning sewers did not have adequate safety gear or protective equipment. </p>.No reports of manual scavenging received from states, UTs: Govt.<p>Even the ones who were said to be wearing safety gear only wore gloves and gumboots. The audit investigated 54 deaths in eight states and Union Territories reported between 2022 and 2023. A total of 150 people had died in the course of hazardous cleaning during that period. The audit went into all aspects related to manual scavenging, including the hiring mechanisms, safety measures, and awareness of the law banning manual scavenging. The findings were presented to parliament last week. </p>.<p>In 49 out of the 54 deaths examined, the workers had worn no safety equipment. No consent was taken from workers in 27 cases, and they were not counselled on the risks involved in the work. The guidelines about work and safety measures were rarely followed. Ironically, the survey was conducted on a practice banned under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act in 2013. The Supreme Court and other courts have issued orders, and the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has issued a number of directives and advisories to prevent manual scavenging. Manual scavenging is completely banned in the country. It is allowed only in specific conditions where mechanical cleaning is not possible. But there are specific instructions on how to go about it. It is illegal and a violation of rights to make humans do such work when machines can do it. </p>.<p>Manual scavenging is among the most degrading of human professions. It shows how poverty, caste, illiteracy, backwardness and oppression combine in dangerous ways. It has continued for centuries and is still practised in cities, towns and villages. The law has not been able to put an end to it. In many cities, the standard excuse for manual scavenging is that mechanical cleaning is expensive. Deaths still occur, and often, it is alleged that compensation is not paid. Plans for rehabilitation of workers have not made progress in many places. The 2023 National Action for Mechanical Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) has made little progress. The government has done well to conduct a survey and publicise its results. It must act on the findings to ensure that the practice is completely eliminated. </p>
<p>A recent social audit of hazardous sewer and septic tank cleaning across the country has again brought out the persistence of a shameful and inhuman practice, despite the existence of legislation against it. The audit commissioned by the Social Justice Ministry in September 2023 found that over 90 per cent of the workers who died while cleaning sewers did not have adequate safety gear or protective equipment. </p>.No reports of manual scavenging received from states, UTs: Govt.<p>Even the ones who were said to be wearing safety gear only wore gloves and gumboots. The audit investigated 54 deaths in eight states and Union Territories reported between 2022 and 2023. A total of 150 people had died in the course of hazardous cleaning during that period. The audit went into all aspects related to manual scavenging, including the hiring mechanisms, safety measures, and awareness of the law banning manual scavenging. The findings were presented to parliament last week. </p>.<p>In 49 out of the 54 deaths examined, the workers had worn no safety equipment. No consent was taken from workers in 27 cases, and they were not counselled on the risks involved in the work. The guidelines about work and safety measures were rarely followed. Ironically, the survey was conducted on a practice banned under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act in 2013. The Supreme Court and other courts have issued orders, and the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has issued a number of directives and advisories to prevent manual scavenging. Manual scavenging is completely banned in the country. It is allowed only in specific conditions where mechanical cleaning is not possible. But there are specific instructions on how to go about it. It is illegal and a violation of rights to make humans do such work when machines can do it. </p>.<p>Manual scavenging is among the most degrading of human professions. It shows how poverty, caste, illiteracy, backwardness and oppression combine in dangerous ways. It has continued for centuries and is still practised in cities, towns and villages. The law has not been able to put an end to it. In many cities, the standard excuse for manual scavenging is that mechanical cleaning is expensive. Deaths still occur, and often, it is alleged that compensation is not paid. Plans for rehabilitation of workers have not made progress in many places. The 2023 National Action for Mechanical Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) has made little progress. The government has done well to conduct a survey and publicise its results. It must act on the findings to ensure that the practice is completely eliminated. </p>
