JNU's Filthy Reality

7/25/2019 JNU's Filthy Reality

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JNUs FilthyReality

All India General Kamgar Union (AIGKU), JNU Unit

A Report on the Practices of Manual Scavenging&

Hazardous Cleaning of Sewers in JNU


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AIGKU 2014

Prepared by

Abha Arya, SSS Councillor, JNUSU

V. Arun Kumar, SIS, JNU

for All India General Kamgar Union- (Reg. No.3271) JNU Unit

Email:[email protected]

[email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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The worker becomes poorer the more wealth he produces The devaluationof

the human world grows in direct proportion to the increase in valueof the

world of things - Karl Marx

Dedicated to all the contract workers of JNU

on whose hard toil the institution runs but

whose rights are violated with impunity and

lives consigned to invisibility, injustice, indignity

"What you have lost others have gained. Your humiliations are a matter of pride with

others. You are made to suffer wants, privations and humiliations not because it was

pre-ordained by the sins committed in your previous birth, but because of the

overpowering tyranny and treachery of those who are above you. You have no lands

because others have usurped them; you have no posts because others have monopolised

them. Do not believe in fate; believe in your strength."

- Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar


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ContentsIntroduction ............................................................................................... 1

Manual Scavenging and Hazardous Cleaning .............................. 2

JNU: Invisible Lives in the Sewer ...................................................... 5

The Unseen lives ................................................................................... 10

The fallacy of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan:....................................... 12Action-Plan .............................................................................................. 14

Demands .................................................................................................. 21


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*Above photos are only for representational purposes


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Did you know?

JNU employs around 12-15 contract

workers for the cleaning of sewers and

septic tanks. While the law prohibits

cleaning of sewers and septic tank

without protective and safety equipment,workers in JNU are forced to enter and

clean without any equipment. The only

thing that keeps them alive inside the

filthy and toxic world of sewers is their

quick judgement. These workers are

thrown into a vortex of severe social and

economic exploitation with even basic

human rights being denied to them.

Use hashtag #StopMSinJNU to SPEAK

OUT against the inhuman practices of

manual scavenging in JNU.

Introduction

Jawaharlal Nehru University is considered to be one of the most prestigiousuniversities in India. Spread across one thousand acres of lush green stretch,

JNU is best known for its

quality research and active

politics. Life in the university is

always active and kicking with

departmental seminars,

political and social movements,

public talks and cultural events.

Besides hundreds of academic

and administrative staffs, and

thousands of students, there is

an army of permanent and

contract workers that keeps the

university running 24X7 and

365 days a year. But flip side to

the prestigious story of JNU

are the stories of large scale

exploitation and infringement of rights of these thousands of workers

working in hostel, mess, sanitation and other services inside JNU campus,

both by JNU administration and contractors.

This report focuses on a story beyond the visible spectrum of exploitation.

The report looks into a filthy and stinking reality of JNU that remains

invisible in the sewer lines and behind the veil of caste exploitation. This

reality is the practice of manual scavenging and hazardous cleaning of

sewers and septic tank in JNU campus.


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Manual Scavenging and Hazardous Cleaning

The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their

Rehabilitation Act, 20131 (hereafter called MS Act) defines Manual

Scavenging as follows;

manual scavenger means a person engaged or employed by an individual

or a local authority or an agency or a contractor, for manually cleaning,

carrying, disposing of, or otherwise handling in any manner, human excreta

in an insanitary latrine or in an open drain or pit into which the human

excreta from the insanitary latrines is disposed of, or on a railway track or insuch other spaces or premises before the excreta fully decomposes in such

manner as may be prescribed

Expanding its ambit to include the cleaning of sewers and septic tank, the

MS Act stipulates that hazardous cleaning by an employee, in relation to a

sewer or septic tank, means its manual cleaning by such employee without

the employer fulfilling his obligations to provide protective gear and othercleaning devices and ensuring observance of safety precautions.

In general manual scavenging and

hazardous cleaning means the practices of

cleaning and removing human waste

(excreta) with or without protective gears,

and cleaning of sewers or septic tank

without protective gears and cleaning

equipment.

The legal basis to abolish practices of manual

scavenging and hazardous cleaning has existed

since 1993 (Elimination of Manual Scavenging

1Came into force on December 06, 2013


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and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993) but this law has

always been observed in contravention. To understand the existence of such

inhuman and degrading practices in this 21st century one has to look into

the relation between the practices of manual scavenging and caste

discrimination.

Manual Scavenging is the practice of manual cleaning of human excreta from

insanitary/ dry latrine. Manual scavenging means the picking up of human

excrement by another human with his/ her hands2. Bhasha Singh explains

this horrendous act in her book Unseen is done in two ways; first,

scavengers clean the dry latrines by gathering human excreta in some vessel

and throw it in some specific place; second, scavengers clean the septic tank

(or sewage pits) which functions as waste disposal in toilets in somebodys

home or municipality. The law specifies that even cleaning sanitary

latrines with bare hands amounts to manual scavenging. This practice

can be seen in the entire country in one or the other form. Caste system and

practices of manual scavenging are a phenomenon existing in Indian

Subcontinent.

Scavengers are the most

oppressed and suppressed class

of Indian society- mostly bhangis,

toti, mehtar, dum, valmiki, dhanuk,

choods, mochi, baasfor, halalkhor

domdaaretc (Scheduled Castes &

Scheduled Tribes in India). It is

historically seen there are specific

group of people who are fixed

with the role of scavenging. This

2Singh, Bhasha (2012)The Unseen (New Delhi: Penguin)


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group of people lives their entire life like this and remain in the lowest

strata of the society. The defenders of the caste society may call this

segmentation as division of labour. But as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar3argues, caste

system is not merely division of labour but is also a division of labourers. It

is hierarchy in which the division of labourers are graded one above the

other. Manual scavengers continue this apathetic job from generations as

their children do not get proper education and environment. Ultimately,

this work is imposed upon them, which push them to lowest stratum of

social hierarchy. As we know the tasks are appointed in advance on the

basis of the social status of their parents. These occupations are not basedon choice but the dogma of pre destination, where the caste system will

not allow Hindus to take to occupation where they are wanted if they do not

belong to them by hierarchy4. The defenders of caste system, which we

have seen recently that our macho Prime Minister Narendra Modi making

statements that manual scavenging is a spiritual experience, argues that

varnasrama system increases economic efficiency. This argument has long

been negated by Dr. Ambedkar mentioning, caste Hindus have vested

interest in untouchability. This vested interest takes the shape of economic

exploitation such as forced labour or cheap labour, that may not necessarily

involve reason. As when reasons come into conflict with vested interest, it

fails5. An occupation which is against the will of a person or reason of

system can have several negative effects. This led to a constant desire to

escape from the occupation which have blighting effect and stigma attached

to it. After saying this much, we should ask the defenders of caste system,

what efficiency will it yield? Dr. Ambedkar argues, as an economic

organization caste is therefore a harmful institution, inasmuch as, it involves

3Ambedkar, BR (2003)Annihilation of Caste (New Delhi: Samyak Prakashan)

4

ibid5ibid


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the subordination of mans natural power and inclination to the exigencies

of social rules6.

Varnashram is justified on religious grounds, by rationalizing it in holy text

books, scriptures and though the theory of karma. Therefore, the practice of

manual scavenging had always been justified by the similar grounds by the

bramhanical forces.

JNU: Invisible Lives in the Sewer

I come out of the sewer with human waste all over me. I donteven get a soap to clean myself. It seems only death can remove

this stench from me.

-

A Sewage Worker in JNU

Beneath the lush green landscape of JNU lies a maze of Underground

Drainage (UDG) Lines (also known as Sewer Lines) with manhole openings

at various places. The depth of sewer manholes ranges from 12 to 30 feet.

JNU employs 16 contract workers to clean repair and maintain the UDG/

Sewer lines inside the campus working under JNU engineering department.

All these sewer men (as they are known) are from Dalit communities and

mostly come from outer Delhi or from states adjoining Delhi.

These sewer men are forced to work under inhuman and degrading

conditions. They enter the sewer lines with just a ladder and a rope. Noprotective gears or cleaning devices are provided to them. They are not even

provided with any washing provisions such as soaps to clean themselves

after the work. The only thing that protects them inside the highly toxic

environment of sewers from an ultimate death is their quick

judgement about their surroundings.

6ibid


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JNU: Manual Scavenging and Hazardous Cleaning

JNU contract workers involved in cleaning of sewers near administration

block of JNU. One can clearly see workers cleaning the sewers without any

protective and safety equipment- these pictures are from JNU !


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Sewer materials are highly toxic and contain poisonous and inflammable

gases. Personnel involved in operation & maintenance of sewerage systems

are often exposed to various types of occupational hazards like7

Physical injuries,

Injured by chemicals and radioactive waste

Infections caused by pathogens

Exposure to explosive or obnoxious gases (Hydrogen Sulphide

(H2S), Carbon Monoxide, Methane, Gasoline vapours)

Oxygen deficiency

Presence of viral, bacterial, or parasitic microorganisms in the sewers acts as a

potential threat, since it may result in infections. For those workers exposed to

sewage, the most serious viral risk is hepatitis and the most serious bacterial risk

is tetanus8.

Nationwide, hundreds of workers have died while entering and cleaning

sewers/ septic tanks in past few years and in the recent Supreme Court9

judgements

taking the

cognizance of

this serious

issue had

asked

authorities to

provide

protective and

safety

7Draft Safety Manual for Construction and Maintenance of UGD Lines and Septic tanks in the

limits of Urban Local Bodies, 2012 of Government of Karnataka8

ibid9Writ Petition (Civil) No. 583 Of 2003 , Civil Appeal No.5322 Of 2011


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Watch: ''Sahar se Pahle'' [Before the

Dawn]

This documentary tries to highlight the plight of

contract workers in JNU, especially those

engaged in sanitation work. Most of these

workers come from historically underprivileged

social backgrounds (Backward Castes). The

film has been named Sahar Se Pahle or Before

the Dawn to stress the fact that these workers

start their work even before other people wake

up and their exploitation goes unnoticed.

Moreover the name also hints at the dawn

which is yet to come, when the producers of

wealth shall actually be the masters of wealth.

(Available on Youtube)

equipment to workers entering sewers. In JNU, workers cleaning sewers

faced such dangerous situations and near death many a times but were

quick enough to understand the situation and escape. Due to inaction and

apathetic attitude of administration such incidents were never reported.

Within minutes of entering the sewer we felt irritation in our eyes, my

friend told me to get out as soon as possible. Had not he realised the

danger in time, I would not be sitting here and telling this story to you.

But the reality is this is everyday for us and considered normal by

others says a 35 year old sewage worker employed in JNU. One or two

breaths of air, with as little as 600 parts per million of Hydrogen Sulphide,can cause a person to lose consciousness and continued exposure to H2S can

be fatal10. Apart from the fatalities the workers are prone to sustain serious

injuries due to solid objects like blades, projecting glasses and other sharp-

edged or pointed objects.

The septic tanks in JNU

campus are also cleaned

by these workers

manually by bare hands

and no machines are

used.

Considering the various

judicial judgements11

regarding the issue of

right to life- it includes

right live with human

dignity; right to have

healthy environment; right

10In the judgement of Gujarat High Court, Praveen Rashtrapal, I.R.S. vs Chief Officer, Kadi

Municipality on 15 February, 2006 [ (2006) 3 GLR 1809]11Supreme Court judgement 1995 AIR 922, 1995 SCC (3)42


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to have protection against hazards of the employment; right to health; right

to have medical treatment and right to have adequate compensation for the

injuries suffered during the course of discharge of duty etc. Workers

working in sewage are thrown into a vortex of severe social and

economic exploitation12. On one hand they face a severe structural

discrimination perpetuated by the caste ridden society which forced them to

take such inhuman and degrading job of manual scavenging; on the other

they face exploitation in the hands of JNU administration and private

contractors. Manual cleaning of sewers leads to occupation health hazards

because of toxic environment. Studies show an average sewage workersuffers from minimum of 64 health ailments13. But for the administration

and contractors, these workers are a source cheap labour and not humans.

These sewage workers are not only denied any protective or safety gears,

they are not even provided with any health facilities.

The Unseen lives

In JNU, the unseen reality is not limited to sewage workers. Apart from these

sewage workers there are hundreds of sanitation workers (safai

karmacharis) working all over the campus, but their plights remain unseen

and invisible. Their lives, like of the sewage workers, are squeezed in

between caste discrimination and economic exploitation. For them, the

struggle for timely wages, provident fund, issuance of Employees State

Insurance (ESI) cards, bonus and health facilities are part of everyday

life in JNU.

Like sewage workers, the other sanitation workers are also forced to work

without proper safety equipment or are provided with substandard items.

The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their

12Writ Petition (Civil) No. 583 Of 2003

13

In the judgement of Gujarat High Court, Praveen Rashtrapal, I.R.S. vs Chief Officer, KadiMunicipality on 15 February, 2006 [ (2006) 3 GLR 1809]


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Rehabilitation Act, 2013 stipulates manually cleaning, carrying, disposing

of, or otherwise handling in any manner, human excreta amounts to

manual scavenging. Sanitation workers are sometimes forced to clean

human excreta in toilets with mere brooms and without proper safety boots,

gloves and masks.

Contract workers are denied their basic right for a healthy environment andright for protective equipment provided by law. JNU administration refuses

to provide even the basic first aid and health facilities for sanitation

workers. Workers normally have approach students for first aid in case of

small injuries. For severe wound or illness, they often have to approach

private clinics because of non-issuance of ESI cards by contractors. This was

the case with Anjus husband (see photo below) working in JNU when he

was bitten by some poisonous insect leading to serve skin and stomach

infection. As the contractor failed to provide ESI card as mandated by law,

he was not able to avail the health facility at ESI clinic and in the end had to

go to a private clinic spending half of his salary for treatment. Such cases of

infringement of rights of the workers happen in JNU despite repeated

reminders to JNU administration to ensure that contractors abide by

labour laws. JNU administration remains mute spectator.


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The demands to provide sanitation workers with specified and stands

protective equipment has been raised many a times with JNU

administration, but the issues have never been addressed. Under Section 40

(1) & 40 (2) (of chapter V) of the Contract Labour (Regulation and

Abolition) Central Rules of 1971, JNU administration has legal obligation (in

case the contractor fails within seven days of employment of a contract

labour) to provide necessary amenities and equipment for the welfare and

health of contract labourers.

We witnessed JNU administration coming out with brand new

broomsticks, gloves and facemasks to celebrate Swachh Bharat

Abhiyan, but sewage and sanitation workers continue to face apathy

and injustice, and are forced to work under inhumane and degradingconditions.

The fallacy of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan:

On the birth anniversary of M K Gandhi this year, Prime Minister Narendra

Modi launched Swachh Bharat Abhiyan or Clean India Campaign. The

campaign was started to fulfil the objective of cleaningIndia in five years-

which would help promote tourism. Swachh Bharat Abhiyanbegan with


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the glorified picture of Modi and his top officials cleaning dried leaves with

brand new brooms which seemed more like well co-ordinated photo-op

instead of cleaning. The campaign attempts to glorify and spiritualize the act

of cleaning, but ignores those who in our country have traditionally engaged

in cleaning.

In this campaign, there is no mention of the entire section which is involved

in the cleaning chores, which consists of particular castes. A large number of

workers are engaged in cleaning toilets without protective equipment, the

conditions of sewage workers are particularly bad. The intervention of

modern technologies in the landscape of sanitation may have stopped theuse of dry latrines and caused the gradual shift towards sanitary latrines to

some extent. But what have never changed are the lives of millions of

manual scavengers belonging to particular castes who are considered

untouchables in the Indian society. What remains unchanged is the

occupation of these manual scavengers who earlier used to clean dry

latrines with their bare hands (which still continues) and now clean sewers

and septic tanks manually. They are still tied to the caste equation that is

associated with cleaning and sanitation work in India. This campaign fails to

address even the basic social and political problems of the manual

scavengers and sanitation workers.

These workers are employed mostly through contractors in both private

and public institutions. The responsibility of the contractors is to provide

labour for cleaning but these contractors as well as the JNU administration

(the principal employer) have always failed to ensure timely payment of

salaries and provident fund to the workers. Contractors use bogus excuses

like cost for dress/uniform to steal money from the workers salaries .

There are many workers in JNU who are struggling to get back their dues

(deducted in the name of providing dress etc or stolen through non-

payment of PF amounts).


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Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a move to dilute the real issues concerning

workers engaged in sanitation work. Sanitation workers are doubly

marginalized: one, because of the structural stigmatization that exists in

society; second, due to the rampant contract system denying even the basic

rights to the workers including their right to form unions. The contract

system makes these workers a source of cheap wage labour and does not

help in any kind of skill development, which would have helped them in

coming out of the clutches of caste based occupation. This is the reality of

brahmanicaland capitalist nature of the government and its institutions. In

a book titled Karmayog (publication year 2007)- through which sermonswere delivered to highly placed officials of the Modi led Gujarat

government, the work of sanitation employees was spiritualized. They

perhaps fell short of the realization that this important yet polluted work is

done only by particular castes in our society with least sources of living.

The campaign serves no more purpose than tokenism by ignoring the

biggest stakeholder- the millions of sanitation workers. Many might find the

glitz of the campaign persuasive but the majority of the population which

still struggles for its daily bread definitely knows the reality of the campaign.

One can also argue that the main aim of this campaign is not a clean India

but to obliterate the evidences of a reality- the reality of caste based

discrimination and exploitation of labour.

Action-PlanThe Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their

Rehabilitation Act, 2013 came into force on December 06, 2013 and The

Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation

Rules, 2013 issues by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Section 7

of the Act stipulates No person, local authority or any agency shall, from

such date as the State Government may notify, which shall not be later

than one year from the date of commencement of this Act, engage or


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employ, either directly or indirectly, any person for hazardous cleaning of a

sewer or a septic tank. Section 9 of the act further stipulates Whoever

contravenes the provisions of section 7 shall for the first contravention be

punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or

with fine which may extend to two lakh rupees or with both, and for any

subsequent contravention with imprisonment which may extend to five

years or with fine which may extend to five lakh rupees, or with both. The

M.S Act which came into force on December 06, 2013 makes the

engage or employ, either directly or indirectly, any person for

hazardous cleaning of a sewer or a septic tank a punishable offensefrom December 06, 2014.

The Draft Safety Manual for Construction and Maintenance of UGD Lines and

Septic tanks in the limits of Urban Local Bodies (2012) of Government of

Karnataka and The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and

Their Rehabilitation Rules, 2013 (MS Rules) provides detailed information

on the standards and types of cleaning and protective equipment for sewage

cleaning. The 2013 MS rules issued by Ministry of Social Justice and

Empowerment provide the following equipment details under chapter II

(obligation of employer towards its employees engaged for the cleaning of

sewer or septic tank);

1. Safety body clothing/ safety body harness/ safety belt

2. Normal face mask

3.

Safety torch

4. Hand gloves

5.

Safety goggles

6. Safety helmets

7.

Emergency medical resuscitator kit

8. Gas Monitor ( 4 gases)

9. Head lamp

10.

Reflecting jackets


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11.Guide pipe set

12.

Safety tripod set

13.

Wadder suits

14.Breathing apparatus

15.Chlorine mask

16.Air compressor for blower

17.Modular Airlines Supply Trolley System

18.Full face mask

19.Safety Gumboot

20.

Raincoats

The rule further puts down the standard operating procedure (SOP) which

should be observed while cleaning sewers or septic tank;

a. There should be minimum of two employees present all the times, one

should be a supervisor

b.

The atmosphere within the confined space should be tested for oxygen

deficiency and toxic and combustible gas.

c. At least one trained and experienced employee should be present all

times during sewage cleaning

d. Before starting the cleaning operation the supervisor should inspect

and determine if the sewer servers any industries nearby to anticipate

the hazardous atmosphere that may be encountered

e. The condition of metal-rung ladder and sidewalls of the manhole

should be checked to see if there is any danger of collapse.

f. Smoking or open flames in near the sewer manhole should not be

permitted

g. Traffic and pedestrian barricade should be provided all the times

h.

A flag man should be stationed ahead of a site and should be visible to

incoming traffic for a least 500 feet.


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The sanitation workers engaged in cleaning of toilets are often clean human

excreta in toilets with just broom sticks. Workers engaged in clearing of

garbage have to use their bare hands to clear garbage containing various

hazardous materials like glass pieces, syringes and also baby diapers,

sanitary pads and animal excreta. In view of the right to life of worker

including right to have healthy environment; right to have protection

against hazards of the employment and right to health following safety

equipment should (with proper stock of supply) be provided to all

sanitation workers;

1.

Safety gloves (cut resistance and water proof)

2. Safety Gumboots

3. Face mask

4. Uniform

5. First Aid

Under the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central Rule of 1971

(Chapter V- Welfare and Health of Contract Labour), JNU administration as

the principal employer has the obligation to ensure the welfare and health

of contract workers. Section 40 (1) of the act specifies;

The facilities required to be provided under sections 18 and 19 of the

Act, namely sufficient water supply of wholesome drinking water,

a sufficient number of latrines and urinals, washing facilities and

first aid facilitiesshall be provided by the contractor in the case of the

existing establishments within seven days of the commencement of

these rules and in the case of new establishment within seven days of

the commencement of the employment of contract labour therein.

Further Section 40 (2) stipulates;


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If any of the facility mentioned in sub-rule (1) is not provided by

the contractor within the period prescribed the same shall be

provided by the principal employer within seven days of the

expiry of the period laid down in the said sub-rule.

Modern Technology

The Prohibition of Manual Scavenging Act, section 33 (1) stipulates It shall

be the duty of every local authority and other agency to use appropriate

technological appliances for cleaning of sewers, septic tanks and other

spaces within their control with a view to eliminating the need for the

manual handling of excreta in the process of their cleaning. The use of

modern machinery and technology can help to large extent can help in

minimising the manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.

Suction cum jetting

machine (also in

separate jetting and

suction machine) is

one the modern

technology that can

effectively clean the

sewers and sceptic

tank with minimum

use of human

intervention. The draft manual of Karnataka government explains the uses

of jetting and suction machine as such;


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Velocity Cleaners (Jetting machine)14 - The high velocity sewer cleaner

makes use of high velocity water jets to remove and dislodge obstructions,

soluble grease, grit and other materials from sanitary, storm and combined

sewerage systems. It combines the functions of a rodding machine and gully

emptier machine. Basically it includes a high pressure hydraulic pump

capable of delivering water at variable pressure up to about 80 kg/cm2

though flexible hose to a sewer cleaning nozzle. The nozzle has one forward

facing hole and a number of rear ward facing holes. The high pressure water

coming out of the holes with a high velocity breaks up and dislodges the

obstructions and flushes the materials down the sewer. Moreover byvarying the pressure suitably, the nozzle itself acts as jack hammer and

breaks up stubborn obstructions. (A separate suction pump or air flow

devices may also be used to suck the dislodged material). The entire

equipment is usually mounted on a heavy truck chassis with either a

separate prime mover or a power take off for the suction device. The high

pressure hose reel is also hydraulically driven. The truck also carries fresh

water tanks for the hydraulic jet and a tank for the removed sludge and the

various controls grouped together for easy operation during sewer cleaning.

The manufactures operating and servicing manuals should be carefully

followed for best results in the use of the machine.

Suction Units (Gully Emptier)15- Suction units create vacuum required for

siphoning of mud, slurry, grit and other materials from sanitary, storm and

combined sewerage systems. The vacuum created is such as to siphon the

materials from the manholes, catch pits etc., having depth ranging from 1 m

to 8 m in normal cases with an option to suck additional 4 m with the help of

special accessories for the purpose. The unit can be vehicle or trolley

mounted. Slit and heavy particles settled at the bottom can be agitated and

14Details from

14Draft Safety Manual for Construction and Maintenance of UGD Lines and Septic

tanks in the limits of Urban Local Bodies, 2012 of Government of Karnataka15

ibid


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loosened by pressurized air with the help of the pump and then sucked in a

tank. Once the silt tank is full, the effluent is discharged in the nearby storm

water drain or manhole, and the operation is repeated till the manhole is

cleared off the silt. The silt deposited in the tank is then emptied at the

predetermined dumping spot. This machine is very much useful in desalting

surcharged manholes and in routine course the manholes can be silted

without the workers getting down into the manhole.

The average cost of a combined unit of suction cum jetting machine of

8500 litres capacity (5000 litres jetting, 3500 litres suction) is around

INR 19-20 lakhs (excluding truck chassis)16.

Rehabilitation of Sewage Workers

To pull manual scavengers out of the viscous vortex of caste and economic

exploitation, a proper rehabilitation mechanism is necessary. The Manual

Scavenging act and recent supreme court (Writ Petition (Civil) No. 583 Of

2003) judgement puts down various rehabilitation measures for manual

scavengers which include cash assistance, self-employment schemes,

vocational training and skill development government scholarship for their

children and residential plot.

As Samuel Sathyaseelan argues17;

Sewer workers liberation will come only when we acquire

necessary technological changes, which will then render the

occupation humane, dignified and safe in ways which completely

avoid any direct human contact with excreta. The liberation of

these workers cannot be conceptualised in isolation because they

16The cost of the equipment is based on two quotations received from suppliers based

in Delhi.17

Sathyaseelan, Samuel (2013) Neglect of Sewage Workers Economic & Political

Weekly, XLIII (49). 33-37


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will lose their only source of income without a meticulous road

map for meaningful rehabilitation as proposed for manual

scavengers. The workers in regular or contract employment must

not be terminated; rather they must all be given regular

employment.

JNU administration should ensure that the JNU sewage workers are

trained in the operation of suction and jetting machine which should

be used to clean sewers and septic tanks in the campus.

DemandsIn view of The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and

Their Rehabilitation Act of 2013, Contract Labour (Regulation &

Abolition) Central Rules of 1971, Supreme Court judgements viz. Writ

Petition (Civil) No. 583 Of 2003, Civil Appeal No.5322 and Consumer

Education & Research Centre vs Union Of India & Others of 2011, the

practices of manual scavenging and hazardous cleaning is a crime. JNU

administration being the principal employer should take recognition

of the practices of manual scavenging and hazardous cleaning

happening in JNU campus and has following obligations ;

1. Abolishing manual scavenging and hazardous cleaning of

sewers and septic tanks in JNU campus

2. Use of modern technology (like suction machine, jetting

machines etc.) for cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.

3. Rehabilitation of all sewage workers in JNU

4.

Providing all protective and safety equipment as specified in

The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and

Their Rehabilitation Rules of 2013. Providing safety gloves

(rubber), safety gumboots and facemasks to all sanitation

workers in JNU.

5.

Providing medical facility to all workers in JNU.


27/27

By the time the report had been prepared the university administration had

been forced to concede to few demands of the workers and provide some

protective clothing/equipment to the sanitation workers. This happened

because of the consistent and combined struggle of workers, students and

teachers; it still remains a distant dream to see JNU become a manual

scavenging and hazardous cleaning free campus. We all need to remain

vigilant so that the JNU administration does not go back on its promises

and build collective struggles towards eliminating such practices and

protecting the rights of the workers.

Manual scavenging is a nationwide problem that will not end with just

ending manual scavenging in JNU. But a successful abolishment of manual

scavenging, and rehabilitation of workers in JNU can act as a model for all

the struggles across the nation for ending manual scavenging and their

rehabilitation. This struggle has to go hand in hand with the struggle to

annihilate caste and ensure rights of all the workers.

Documents

JNU's Filthy Reality