The Hindu 25.11.2009
Garbage workers exposed to health hazards
Serena Josephine. M
| Absence of safety gadgets cited as main reason |
— Photo : T. Singaravelou 
Open to infection: A municipal worker atop a garbage-laden vehicle in Puducherry.
PUDUCHERRY: Fifty-eight-year-old Sarasu, a garbage worker, suffers from frequent skin rashes on her hands and legs, while Rani experiences itching on the skin on a regular basis. Many garbage workers like them are increasingly prone to health hazards owing to the absence of safety gadgets.
Several persons engaged in garbage collection work on contract with the Puducherry Municipality have been collecting waste from various parts of the town without any protective gear such as mask, gloves and boots.
“We remove garbage with bare hands and feet. Face masks and gloves are not provided for us. Administration of vaccines to protect us from infections is seldom done,” said Chitra, who is engaged in garbage collection in various parts of Muthialpet. The other 12 members of her group experience the same difficulties.
Anjalaatchi, another worker, observed: “It is definitely difficult for us to do the job but we have no other choice. We have to tolerate the stench emanating from the waste. When it rains, we get drenched while clearing garbage as we do not have raincoats.”
Many workers, both men and women, travel in garbage-laden vehicles from place to place. “The waste falls on us but what can we do? I suffer from itching on the hands and legs regularly,” said Rani, as she collected garbage from Ayyanar Koil Street and got on to the vehicle to reach the next area.
Karthik, who drives garbage-laden tractors and also collects garbage in Nethaji Nagar, said: “I get skin allergy and even cough. After finishing work, we just wash our hands with soap. I earn Rs.120 a day for the job.”
Sharing his view, Sarasu said: “I have been doing this job for the last four years due to financial constraints. People dump all kinds of waste including human faeces. We are forced to remove the garbage with bare hands. I go to the hospital whenever I experience skin problems.”
Several workers complained of delay in disbursal of salary. Salary has been pending for almost eight months for many workers.
Municipal authorities said 92 men and 265 women workers are engaged in garbage collection work through 14 private contractors. Similarly, two self-help groups consisting of 35 men and 119 women and 25 men and 134 women respectively carry out the work eight hours a day.
A senior official said the private contractors should supply the safety gadgets to the workers and would check on this aspect.
