In response to the deaths of three workers in a septic tank in West Delhi, the Safai Kamgar Union (SKU) held a protest calling for safety audits at all workplaces. The Union also requested Rs 50 lakh compensation for each deceased worker’s family and a government job for a family member. The protest, organized by SKU, highlighted the negligence that led to the deaths of sanitation workers in Mundka, West Delhi.
The SKU protest involved sanitation workers from various institutions like Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD), Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (IGDTUW), and Delhi University (DU). The Union criticized the authorities for failing to prevent deaths despite existing rules and laws. They emphasized that sanitation workers, mostly from the Dalit community, face risks due to societal biases and class disparities.
The SKU statement condemned the ongoing practice of manual scavenging and the lack of safety measures for sanitation workers. The Union pointed out that despite legislation against such practices, workers continue to face life-threatening conditions. They demanded strict action, including registering homicide cases, against those responsible for the workers’ deaths in Mundka. The protest shed light on the hazardous working conditions faced not only by sanitation workers but also by those in the informal sector.
