New Delhi: While the Central government is working on strengthening the existing Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrine Prohibition Act,1993, seeking to ensure rehabilitation of those engaged in such dehumanizing labour, activists say that thousands of manhole workers continue to work in inhuman conditions. MCD, DJB and other civic bodies have failed to provide adequate safety gear and medical facilities and often pass the buck on to their contractors. According to human rights activists, many manhole works die because they work without proper equipment and protective gear. With the government working on a draft bill to strengthen the existing Act, seeking to ensure rehabilitation of those engaged in such dehumanizing labour and imposing heavy penalties on violators, there is hope for thousands. “More than 1000 manual scavengers work in trans-Yamuna areas. They suffer from serious health problems like asthma, infections etc. Despite alaw in place, the civic agencies don’t bother to provide basic facilities or equipment, forget medical facilities,’’ said Harnam Singh, chairman of Delhi Safai Karmcharis Association. Delhi Jal Board is responsible for cleaning and maintenance of sewers in the city. It engages contractors to carry out the work. According to DJB officials, all deep sewers (five feet and more) are cleaned using super suction machines. “Manual scavengers are not allowed inside unless there is written authorization from the head office concerned. In the case of shallow manholes, the workers who clean them are provided with gumboots and gloves. Oxygen masks are available with the area officerTo ensure labour laws are adhered to, we have put all the safety conditions in the contract,” said the official. Strangely, though, DJB claims it has never received any complaint about violation of contract rules. Officials say they have around 2500 scavengers for cleaning of shallow manholes. “As per SC guidelines, medical check-up of these scavengers is done every year,” said Manish Gupta, addl commissioner (engineering), MCD. MANHOLE KILLS Aug 8, 2011 | Rampal (45), an MCD sanitation worker, died in Rohini while cleaning a sewer. Reports suggested that he and another worker Dharamvir (40) had no safety equipment Apr 2011 | Two labourers — Harinder (25) and Anil (26) — died after inhaling toxic gas inside a manhole in DSIIDC area of Bawana Jun 4, 2009 | Two manhole workers died after getting trapped in a sewer in north Delhi. Preliminary reports suggested that Rajesh (43) and Brahm Prakash (35) died of asphyxiation caused by poisonous fumes May 2004 | Three deaths in Wazirpur Mar 2003 | One death occurred at Brahmpuri sewer pumping station