MANUAL SCAVENGERS

     In India, the world second largest populated country, only 30% of the people have their own toilet facilities. Others use Public and Dry Latrines (Non Flush). Across in India nearly 1.3 million manual scavengers, (Predominantly Lower Caste people) are employed to remove human excreta using crude implements such as tin plates, small brooms and baskets, and carry them to dumping grounds, despite the Nation having enacted a law against it (The Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrine (Prohibition) Act, in 1993) and also The National Human Rights Commission objecting Manual Scavenging work. The legislation, however, remains to be adopted by 12 states and its implementation in others is dismal. There are an estimated 9.2 million dry latrines and other public toilets that employ the services of these manual scavengers across the Nation, with an average monthly salary of 120 U.S dollar and contract scavengers getting every day wages of 4 to 5 U.S dollar. Most of the scavengers enforced their children into this field for their help.

     In India, every year around more than 1500 scavengers die of noxious gases in manholes and septic tanks and other health-related issues. Alcoholism is inevitable to their life. Most of the scavengers die before their retirement. Also, the stigma attached to the profession and extreme poverty force them to pass on the legacy to their future generations.