No toilets, ID cards or safety gear: Survey flags plight of 8,000 sanitation workers in Raipur

A survey conducted by the Chhattisgarh State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has revealed critical gaps in the lives of 8,000 sanitation workers in Raipur, India. Despite being a crucial part of the "Swachh Bharat" initiative, many of these workers lack basic necessities. The SHRC, utilizing law interns for their field projects, surveyed the sanitation workers and found that 336 of them do not have toilets at home, 319 parents of these workers are not receiving old age or widow pensions, 1907 workers do not possess essential identification cards such as Voter ID, Aadhaar, ration card, and Ayushman card.

Additionally, 749 sanitation workers work without proper safety and sanitation kits, and 165 are struggling with substance abuse issues, including some children. Shockingly, in 1,076 instances, contractors have seized the workers' ATM cards and passbooks, resulting in lower wages due to commission. Furthermore, 2,387 workers have not received benefits from the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, government-backed life and health insurance schemes.

The survey, completed this July, was sent to Raipur and Bilaspur district authorities for action, aiming to bring attention to the plight of these often-overlooked sanitation workers.