Advisories were issued to all States/UTs, including Maharashtra, thereby advising them to ensure orientation of Sanitation Workers on Covid-19 safety measures and also follow the guidelines in this regard. Advisory, inter alia, covered the following issues:-

(i)  to ensure safety and well-being of municipal frontline warriors – the sanitation workers, for providing them with PPEs safety kits along with health-check-ups and payment of regular wages, even if they were unable to report to work due to the lock-down.

(ii)  to ensure safe water supply and sanitation services during the COVID-19 outbreak for safe collection, treatment and disposal of wastes.

(iii)  to ensure handling, treatment and disposal of waste generated during treatment/ diagnosis/ quarantine of COVID-19 patients” including for the sanitation workers. Wherein, inter alia, the guidelines have also been provided for handling, treatment and disposal of solid waste.

Government have notified “Prohibition on Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Rules, 2013 (MS Rules, 2013)” under which it is mandatory for the employer to provide the safety gear, devices and ensure safety precautions as prescribed in the Rules. Under these Rules, the worker engaged for cleaning sewer or septic tank is also required to be provided insurance cover for Rs. 10 lakhs for which the premium shall be paid by the employer.

This information was given by The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri  Ramdas Athawale in the Lok  Sabha in a written reply today.

  MG

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