Activists Demand End to Dangerous Manual Sanitation Work in Karachi

KARACHI: A coalition of civil society organizations and human rights advocates convened at Karachi’s Urban Resource Centre on Thursday to address the risks faced by sanitation workers and to press for an end to the dangerous practice of manual gutter cleaning across Pakistan.

The gathering followed the tragic deaths of three sanitation workers in Karachi’s Usmanabad in September 2025. The men—22-year-old Vishal, 19-year-old Shahir, and 42-year-old George—lost their lives after inhaling toxic fumes while cleaning a manhole. They were employed under a contract for a payment of Rs15,000.

On behalf of a coalition of human rights activists, Advocate Sara Malkani has filed a constitutional petition with the Sindh High Court (SHC) in November 2025. The petition seeks to declare manual gutter cleaning a violation of human dignity and demands legislative measures to prohibit the practice. The respondents include the Karachi Water and Sanitation Corporation (KWSC), the Sindh government, and local governance bodies.

Malkani emphasized that the practice is unnecessary, as technology capable of safely handling such tasks already exists. However, KWSC acknowledged the availability of machinery in its response to the court but attributed its non-use to unspecified “circumstances,” without elaborating on the reasons. Workers’ union officials noted that while machinery is present, many tools require manual intervention, and inconsistencies in manhole depth—ranging from 4 to 24 feet—necessitate human entry in certain cases.

The petition further contends that accountability for sanitation practices ultimately rests with municipal authorities, regardless of whether work is performed by direct employees or contracted firms. Malkani argued that contracting private entities does not absolve public bodies of responsibility for worker safety.

Dignity, Discrimination, and Systemic Neglect

The panel highlighted the dehumanization of sanitation workers, rooted in societal discrimination. Malkani pointed out that such work is often stigmatized along religious and social lines, with workers labeled as “undesirable” in broader society. A 2025 Amnesty International report linked this marginalization to caste-based hierarchies in South Asia, which are adapted to local religious identities in Pakistan.

Activist Naeem Sadiq criticized society’s complicity in perpetuating this neglect, questioning how a “civilized society” could force individuals into perilous labor. He challenged attendees to prioritize safety over compensation debates, noting that inquiries into worker deaths often focus on monetary settlements rather than systemic reform. Drawing parallels to international norms, he urged accountability for authorities failing to ensure worker protection.

The National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) reported in 2025 that sanitation workers face hazardous conditions without legal safeguards or occupational safety standards. Amnesty International recommended replacing manual cleaning with machinery and providing training for equipment operation. The organization also called for constitutional protections against discrimination faced by communities associated with sanitation work.

The discussion underscored the urgent need for policy reforms, public awareness, and systemic change to safeguard the lives and dignity of sanitation workers.

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