The PIL was filed by Dalit Adivasi Shakti Adhikar Manch.
As per the plea, sewer workers are among the most economically and socially marginalised sections and are allegedly being paid below minimum wages without benefits such as provident fund, gratuity and bonus.
It was argued that sanitation workers continue to suffer from chronic illnesses, permanent disabilities, and occupational diseases caused by repeated exposure to untreated human waste, toxic gases, contaminated water, and unsafe working conditions, which also affects their mental well-being and life expectancy.
“Exposure to these gases results in suffocation, unconsciousness, acute respiratory failure, pulmonary oedema, neurological damage, and, in numerous cases, death. Even where exposure is non-fatal, repeated inhalation causes chronic respiratory illnesses, reduced lung capacity, persistent breathlessness, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, recurrent chest infections, and irreversible damage to the respiratory system,” the plea said.
Therefore, the petitioner said that there should be complete mechanisation of sewer and septic tank cleaning across Delhi and a prohibition on hazardous manual entry into sewers and manholes.
Criminal, departmental and civil action should be initiated against contractors, employers and public officials responsible for violations, it was submitted.