Karachi's Sanitation Workers Face Exploitation with Low Wages and Heavy Workloads
Karachi's sanitation workers, often from marginalized communities, embody broader societal neglect and discrimination.
Saad khan 
In Karachi, just before 6 am on a hot May day, workers like Manoj wake up on the footpath in affluent areas like Bath Island to begin their day as sanitary workers. Most of them belong to the Hindu community from Mirpurkhas district, employed by contractors for the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB).
These workers face various challenges, from inadequate shelter to irregular pay and lack of proper restrooms. Despite being underage, many are employed below the legal minimum wage, which violates child labor laws and wage regulations set by the Sindh Minimum Wages Board.
Bimal, another worker from Mirpurkhas, left his education midway to support his family after flood-induced hardships. He, like many others, works long hours for meager pay, often without the promised Sundays off or overtime compensation.
The exploitation of these workers, predominantly from marginalized communities, is akin to modern-day slavery. They endure hazardous working conditions, lack of protective gear, and are exposed to health risks without access to medical facilities or insurance.
Despite laws and regulations in place, the subcontracting system and lack of oversight contribute to the ongoing exploitation of these workers. Efforts to address the issue, including recent reforms by the SSWMB, have yet to translate into meaningful change for workers like Manoj and Bimal.
In conclusion, the plight of Karachi's sanitation workers reflects broader issues of inequality and discrimination. Urgent action is needed to ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, and protection of workers' rights, particularly for those from marginalized communities.
