Economic and Social Conditions of Informal Sector Conservancy Workers: An Analytical Review

A significant proportion of socially, educationally, and economically deprived sections in the country are primarily concentrated in the unorganized segment of employment. According to the quinquennial report conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) in 2005, the share of informal workers reached 90%, encompassing 94.5% of female workers and 90.34% of male workers. The labor status is further divided into three categories: casual, salaried, and self-employed. Analyzing the data reveals that the highest percentage of individuals engaged in casual labor is in rural areas, with 88.3% of rural persons categorized as casual laborers. Conservancy workers, including sweepers, loaders, and drivers of garbage vehicles, are typically both men and women. Health issues among conservancy workers, including concerns related to pulmonary functions, respiratory functions, peak expiratory flow rate, and dermatology, have been identified. It is noteworthy that in India, many occupations are classified according to caste and religion rather than abilities. Manual scavengers are hired to collect and clean human waste from dry toilets in public and private spaces, open sewers, etc. Unfortunately, such jobs are not chosen voluntarily, highlighting the societal neglect of essential work crucial for the functioning of a nation.