Bengaluru's Silent Struggle: Workers Face Perilous Sanitation Tasks

Every dawn in Bengaluru, pourakarmikas undertake the perilous task of sorting through the city's waste, often with bare hands. These essential workers, crucial for the functioning of India's tech hub, face daily risks from rotting food, diapers, and dust. Many operate under private contractors or in informal employment, lacking essential safety equipment and formal protections. This precarious situation highlights the dependency on a vulnerable workforce.

Workers report not receiving promised safety gear and facing health issues like persistent coughs and skin rashes. Some pourakarmikas have a life expectancy of only 50-60 years due to the hazardous nature of their work, with few seeing retirement. Additionally, many experience delayed wages, with payments pending for three to four months, and face threats of termination if they voice concerns.

The contract system is identified as a primary driver of these exploitative conditions, with claims it resembles bonded labor. Abolishing this system and bringing workers under direct payment would protect their rights and potentially save public funds. While reforms have been promised, strong contractor lobbies have reportedly stalled progress, leaving these vital workers denied their due rights and protections.