Last year, the Indian parliament passed The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act (2013), which outlaws the practice of human excrement being collected from toilets by Dalits using brooms.
But despite several laws prohibiting this, the undignified profession of manual scavenging – physically collecting and disposing human waste from open fields, railway tracks, dry toilets and septic tanks – continues to be prevalent. Around 1.3 million Dalits, most of them women, are thought to still work as manual scavengers. In addition to being ostracised by society, they are paid less than minimum wages.
Earlier this week, Human Rights Watch released a report examining the laws concerning manual scavenging. This video highlights the key issues raised by the group.
But despite several laws prohibiting this, the undignified profession of manual scavenging – physically collecting and disposing human waste from open fields, railway tracks, dry toilets and septic tanks – continues to be prevalent. Around 1.3 million Dalits, most of them women, are thought to still work as manual scavengers. In addition to being ostracised by society, they are paid less than minimum wages.
Earlier this week, Human Rights Watch released a report examining the laws concerning manual scavenging. This video highlights the key issues raised by the group.
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