At least 16 sanitation workers lost their lives from breathing in toxic sewer gases between April and July 2026.
- Karachi Tragedy: In a single heartbreaking incident in Surjani Town, three workers suffocated together after entering an unsafe manhole [Brandsynario].
- Instant Danger: Deep sewers trap deadly gases that can cause a worker to pass out and drown within minutes.
A Trapped Minority
- Unfair Burden: Christian minorities make up 80% of the sanitation workforce, even though they are less than 2% of Pakistan’s population.
- Biased Job Ads: Government municipal offices have a history of publishing ads that reserve low-paid “sweeper” jobs only for non-Muslims.
- No Way Out: Strong social stigma and extreme poverty leave these families with almost no other options to earn a living.
Sent In Barehanded
- No Safety Gear: A National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) survey found that 78.6% of workers are never given protective equipment.
- Extreme Risks: Men routinely dive into toxic waste wearing just shorts, without any oxygen masks, gloves, or safety ropes.
- Constant Injuries: Workers regularly suffer from chemical skin burns, infections, and deep cuts caused by broken glass and medical waste.
Demanding Accountability
- A Complete Ban: Human rights groups are asking the courts to completely ban manual sewer cleaning across the country.
- Using Machines: Activists demand that cities switch to automated sewer-cleaning machines instead of risking human lives.
- Legal Action: There is a push to criminally charge supervisors who force workers into dangerous manholes without safety gear.