Tragedy struck Kolkata on Sunday when three wage labourers died after engaging in manual scavenging at the city's massive Bantala leather complex. This incident came just days after the Supreme Court imposed stricter regulations prohibiting manual scavenging and manual sewage cleaning across several major cities including Kolkata. The contractor responsible, Alimuddin Sheikh, has since been arrested, prompting scrutiny over the often hazardous conditions faced by workers employed under illegal terms.
The victims, identified as Suman Sardar, Farzam Sheikh, and Sheikh Hashibur, were reportedly carrying out the perilous task of cleaning sewage lines when one of them fell ill after descending down a manhole. The other two men went down to provide assistance but tragically succumbed due to exposure to hazardous waste. Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, who rushed to the scene, condemned the incident, stating, "The men died because waste from the tanneries, which contains various chemicals, was flowing through the common drainage line. The waste is supposed to be sent to the effluent treatment plant." He assured the public and the grieving families, saying, “The police will inquire why these men were sent down the manhole and why pumps were not used. Nobody will be spared."
This incident has drawn renewed attention to the dangerous practice of manual scavenging, often carried out under the most harrowing conditions, with little regard for safety or workers’ rights. Alimuddin Sheikh was arrested by the Kolkata police following the incident, reflecting the growing concern over the accountability of contractors involved with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC).
The three deceased men were engaged by Sheikh under dubious circumstances. Family members allege Sheikh lured them to Kolkata from their rural homes with promises of safer work opportunities within real estate, only to end up placing them at the mercy of perilous manual scavenging jobs. The families voiced their anguish at being misled and the senseless loss of life, stating they were unaware of the extreme risks involved. They have launched complaints against Sheikh, demanding justice and accountability not just for the contractor but also for the authorities overseeing such dangerous work.
Critics are now questioning the KMC’s processes for monitoring outsourced contracts. Just hours after the incident, concerns were raised over how the civic body could allow contracting practices known to engage untrained and unprotected workers. Public pressure has mounted for KMC to take more responsibility for the contracted firms under their purview, especially when these involve hazardous activities.
Adding to the shock, this incident starkly contrasts with the Supreme Court's recent ruling banning manual scavenging across major metropolitan areas. The Court's decision has sparked conversations about the enforcement of these regulations and the need for municipal bodies to provide clearer oversight and necessary protections for workers, particularly those from marginalized communities.
Currently, KMC has promised to provide compensation of Rs 10,00,000 for each deceased worker's family, but many, including legal experts and social activists, argue this does little to alleviate the distress caused or prevent such tragedies from repeating. Community leaders have voiced their concerns, emphasizing the role of local governments and legal frameworks to genuinely protect workers from unsafe labor practices.
The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing on this matter for February 19, where the KMC will be required to present measures taken to comply with the ban on manual scavenging. Insiders within the KMC believe they may face tough inquiries over their regulatory practices and responses to contractor accountability.
Alimuddin Sheikh's arrest is just one step forward, but the broader question of establishing real protections for workers remains. Community activists continue to call for comprehensive reforms aimed at eliminating manual scavenging altogether, pushing for stricter penalties for contractors engaging workers without the necessary safeguards.
This incident not only reflects the fatal risks involved with manual scavenging as it still occurs widely under the table, but also calls attention to the urgent need for systemic change within the municipal processes. Until these conversations hit the forefront of public discourse, tragedies like this are likely to persist.