SRINAGAR: In a significant move to enhance the welfare of sanitation workers, Anjana Panwar, the Vice Chairperson of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, has proposed a range of new facilities aimed at improving their working conditions and social status.
At a recent meeting, Panwar emphasised the critical need to provide basic amenities at workplaces for sanitation workers, who are crucial to the success of national initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission. She stressed that sanitation workers deserve equal respect and better living standards.
Panwar outlined several key measures, including providing uniforms twice a year along with raincoats and safety gear, increasing minimum wages to eliminate discrimination and improve their quality of life, ensuring quality education for the children of sanitation workers, and conducting extensive medical check-ups, including blood tests, ECGs, and X-rays twice a year, to address health risks associated with their work.
Additionally, Panwar called for the establishment of two-room sets in each zone for sanitation workers to change uniforms, rest, and have meals. She insisted that these steps should be implemented immediately and requested an Action Taken Report from the concerned authorities.
The Vice Chairperson also underscored the importance of a clean and green Kashmir, given the region’s booming tourism industry. She urged local administrations to adopt welfare measures that would help sanitation workers escape poverty.
During the meeting, representatives of sanitation workers from various districts raised issues related to service regularisation, job security for families of deceased workers, promotions, overtime payment, rotational weekly-offs, and the filling of vacant posts. Panwar directed officials to address these concerns promptly to ensure a better future for sanitation workers.
In response to the recent deaths of two workers in Kulgam on 19 April 2024, Panwar instructed the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Kulgam to submit a report on the compensation disbursement within fifteen days.
