Turmeric Man of Himachal Pradesh

In the early hours of each morning, as the city of Dharamsala still slumbers, a dedicated group of workers known as ‘Safai Sathis’ begins their day by cleaning streets, collecting waste, and ensuring the town remains spotless. Employed by the Mumbai-based Vishal Protection Force on behalf of the Dharamsala Municipal Corporation (DMC), these 250 individuals have become the backbone of the city’s sanitation efforts, especially as plastic waste management becomes an increasingly urgent issue across India.

UNDP’s Plastic Waste Management Programme: A Structured Approach

To address the burgeoning issue of plastic waste in Indian cities, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) introduced the Plastic Waste Management Programme. This initiative focuses on creating a model that incorporates both socio-economic and technical aspects of waste management, ultimately helping workers like the Safai Sathis transition from informal to formal employment.

Key Objectives of the Plastic Waste Management Programme:

• Formalize Waste Management: Transitioning waste pickers from the informal to the formal economy, offering them access to welfare programs and improving their work conditions.
• Establish Material Recovery Centres (MRCs): These centers, known as Swachhta Kendras, serve as hubs for systematic waste collection, sorting, and disposal.
• Support Socio-Economic Development: The program aims to uplift Safai Sathis by improving their socio-economic status through structured employment and access to social welfare schemes.

Safai Sathis: The Backbone of Waste Management

The Safai Sathis play a vital role in maintaining cleanliness in cities across India. However, their jobs are physically demanding and often come with low pay and minimal job security. According to a survey conducted by UNDP, these workers are predominantly women and hail from socially and economically marginalized communities. With more than 60% lacking formal education and nearly 70% from socially disadvantaged groups, their access to resources and support remains limited.

Despite their challenging circumstances, many Safai Sathis persist in their roles due to a lack of alternative employment opportunities, and often live in substandard conditions. In Dharamsala, workers like Vicky live in slum areas with limited access to sanitation, clean water, and other essentials. These living conditions put them at a high risk of health issues, compounded by a lack of health insurance coverage.

Financial Inclusion for Safai Sathis: Why It Matters

One of the primary goals of the UNDP’s programme is the financial inclusion of Safai Sathis. By linking workers to schemes like Jan Dhan accounts, Ayushman Bharat health insurance, pension plans, and scholarships for their children, the program provides a financial safety net. Financial inclusion empowers Safai Sathis with access to savings, credit, insurance, and other essential services that can improve their quality of life. With only a small percentage currently having health insurance or income certification, these benefits are essential for providing stability and reducing their vulnerability to financial shocks.

Historical Measures for Welfare and Protection

The journey towards safeguarding sanitation workers’ rights began with landmark legal reforms:

• Prevention of Atrocities Act (1989): Expanded to include sanitation workers, this act marked a critical step in liberating manual scavengers from oppressive practices and customary expectations. It was a significant legal move to protect marginalized communities.
• Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines Act (1993): This act aimed to end manual scavenging by banning dry latrines and promoting water-seal latrines. This was a pivotal step in improving sanitation practices and ensuring safe, dignified work conditions.
• National Scheme of Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers (1992): This scheme provided alternate employment opportunities for manual scavengers, enabling them and their families to find safer, more dignified livelihoods.
• National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC): Established in 1997 under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, NSKFDC focuses on the socio-economic development of Safai Karamcharis and their dependents. It provides financial assistance, skill training, and welfare support, aiming to uplift these communities and improve their living standards.

Addressing Major Issues Faced by Safai Sathis

The Safai Sathis face multiple challenges that highlight the need for structured welfare programs:

• Economic Disadvantages: Low incomes and irregular employment exacerbate their financial instability.
• Lack of Access to Social Welfare: Without the necessary identification certificates, many workers remain excluded from government social security benefits.
• Health Risks: Exposure to unsanitary conditions, combined with limited healthcare access, leaves them vulnerable to illness.
• Poor Living Conditions: Many Safai Sathis reside in slums or informal settlements, lacking adequate sanitation and clean water.
• Social Stigma and Discrimination: Safai Sathis are frequently marginalized due to societal perceptions of waste-related work. This stigma affects their social standing and self-esteem, limiting their opportunities and full integration into society.
• Childcare and Educational Barriers: Predominantly female, Safai Sathis often struggle to balance work with caregiving responsibilities. Limited access to childcare options or quality education for their children perpetuates the cycle of poverty and restricts upward mobility

The DMC has made some progress in securing housing for a portion of these workers, but this effort needs scaling up to reach more Safai Sathis effectively.

Government Initiatives for the Welfare of Safai Sathis

Various government initiatives aim to support Safai Sathis and waste-pickers across the country:

• Housing Assistance: Under the Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme (IHSDP), efforts are being made to secure housing for waste-pickers.
• Provident Fund and Health Benefits: The DMC provides Safai Sathis with provident fund benefits, health check-ups, medical reimbursements, uniforms, and plans to distribute jackets for winter protection.

Legal and Constitutional Measures for Safai Sathis

To secure better conditions for informal workers like Safai Sathis, both constitutional and legal measures are necessary:

• Right to Dignified Work: Safai Sathis have the constitutional right to work with dignity, which includes safe work conditions and fair compensation.
• Legal Reforms: Policies around waste management and workers’ rights need to be updated to formalize and safeguard their contributions.
• Financial Support Programs: To ensure stability, government schemes such as pensions and insurance must be made accessible to these workers, along with assistance in obtaining necessary certifications.

The Road Ahead

While significant steps have been made to support the Safai Sathis, further reforms are essential to enhance their welfare. Strengthening waste management infrastructure, improving housing, ensuring health coverage, and offering financial literacy training are crucial next steps. Additionally, more partnerships between municipal corporations, government bodies, and NGOs can foster a holistic approach to welfare and sustainable waste management.

By continuing to champion the rights of Safai Sathis, cities like Dharamsala can not only improve their environmental health but also provide these essential workers with the dignity and support they deserve.