Health and Working Conditions of Sanitary Workers in Jammu District

Abstract

Sanitation workers play a crucial role in maintaining global public health and well-being of the society. Despite the existing laws, there is an undervaluation of these workers’ contributions, and the risks associated with the nature of their job are not well examined. Keeping this in mind, this research investigated the challenging work environment of sanitation workers in Jammu City, India, with a focus on permanent, contractual, casual, and daily wage employees. The study involved 40 participants (32 males, 8 females) with mean age 32.7 years. The data was collected through observation and structured interviews using purposive sampling technique. The findings revealed that workers are exposed to hazardous conditions, lack adequate safety measures, and receive insufficient financial compensation, leading to health problems and a poor quality of life. This investigation emphasizes the critical need for effective policies addressing regular healthcare services, fair wages, proper safety equipment, paid medical leave, and improved working conditions among these workers by underscoring the importance of raising public awareness to enhance their well-being. The study calls for stakeholders’ action to address these issues and improve the overall situation for this workforce. To conclude, the present research has implications for policymakers, employers, and society at large in addressing the needs of this essential yet often overlooked labor force.