The Invisible Crisis: Exploitation and Discrimination of Sanitation workers in Pakistan
For generations, sanitation work in Pakistan has been relegated to the margins of society, burdened by systemic discrimination and characterized by dangerous, precarious conditions. This often-invisible crisis demands urgent attention, not just as a matter of public health, but as a basic human rights issue. Recent research reveals a deeply troubling reality: sanitation workers, disproportionately from marginalized communities, face widespread exploitation, lack legal protection, and are routinely denied basic safety measures – a situation that directly contravenes Pakistan’s international obligations and constitutional principles.
A System Built on Precarious Employment & Caste-Based Discrimination
The foundation of this exploitation lies in the intentional avoidance of formalizing employment within the sanitation sector. Our findings demonstrate that a staggering 45% of sanitation workers lack even a written contract, allowing employers – often Municipal Committees - to circumvent legal requirements for job security, benefits, and fair labour practices. This practice isn’t accidental; it’s a calculated strategy to maintain control and suppress worker rights. A sanitation worker in Umerkot, Sindh, exemplifies this systemic issue, having labored for the Municipal Committee for 18 years without ever being offered a permanent position, remaining perpetually vulnerable as a daily-wage employee.
this precarious employment status is inextricably linked to deeply ingrained caste-based discrimination. While Pakistan’s Constitution (Article 25) guarantees the right to non-discrimination,it crucially omits caste as a prohibited ground. This legal loophole perpetuates a historical pattern where sanitation work is overwhelmingly assigned to individuals from lower-caste communities, reinforcing cycles of poverty and marginalization. The lack of specific anti-discrimination legislation, a clear breach of Pakistan’s commitments under international UN human rights and ILO conventions, allows this discriminatory practice to flourish unchecked.
The Human Cost: Safety, Health, and fear
The consequences of this systemic neglect are devastating. The vast majority (79%) of sanitation workers surveyed report never receiving overtime pay, and over half (53%) earn below the national minimum wage of USD 115 per month. Access to social security and welfare schemes is woefully inadequate, leaving workers exposed to financial hardship in the event of illness or injury.
But the financial burden is only part of the story.the physical toll of the job is immense. A shocking 55% of respondents reported developing health problems directly attributable to their work,ranging from allergies and respiratory issues caused by dust inhalation to severe skin burns from exposure to corrosive acids in sewage lines. One worker in Peshawar suffered skin burns due to lack of gloves, while a worker in Islamabad tragically lost a finger after being pricked by a discarded syringe while handling waste – both preventable incidents stemming from a lack of basic Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
The provision of PPE, even during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, proved to be temporary, highlighting a callous disregard for worker safety.
Perhaps the most chilling finding is that approximately 70% of sanitation workers feel unable to refuse work, even when they perceive it as dangerous. This isn’t a matter of bravery; it’s a direct result of pervasive job insecurity and the constant fear of arbitrary dismissal. A staggering 76% of respondents expressed fear of sudden job termination, effectively silencing their ability to advocate for safer working conditions.A Call for Systemic Change: A Human Rights-Based Approach
The current situation demands a fundamental shift in approach. Pakistan’s fragmented labor laws, scattered across provincial acts and ordinances, are demonstrably failing to protect sanitation workers. Many laws either fail to specifically address sanitation work or exclude temporary and daily-wage employees – the very individuals who comprise the majority of the workforce. A thorough review and amendment of these laws is urgently needed to eliminate ambiguities and loopholes.
Amnesty International advocates for a holistic, human rights-based approach that combines robust anti-discrimination practices wiht rigorous enforcement of labor laws. This includes:
Enacting comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation: Specifically recognizing and prohibiting caste-based discrimination,aligning Pakistan with its international human rights obligations.
Ending discriminatory recruitment practices: Ensuring equal possibility in recruitment for sanitation work, breaking the cycle of assigning this essential task to marginalized communities.
Formalizing employment: Prioritizing the regularization of sanitation workers’ employment, providing them with job security, benefits, and legal protections. Strengthening labor law enforcement: Ensuring consistent and effective enforcement of labor laws, including provisions for fair wages, overtime pay, and access to social security.
Mandatory safety Standards & PPE: Implementing and enforcing strict safety standards, including the provision of appropriate PPE, and regular health check-ups for sanitation workers.
Empowering Workers: Creating mechanisms for workers to report unsafe