Perilous working conditions have left sanitation workers with a fear of contracting ailments. But it will change for the good soon.
The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) will come up with service stations, equipped with advanced facilities, at a cost of Rs 10 lakh each. The stations will have facilities like hot water, disinfectants and space to rest, giving much-needed relief to workers.
BWSSB has floated tenders to build 12 restrooms across the city. The move has brought cheer to sanitary workers who are exposed to unhygienic conditions and run the risk of contracting diseases.
“We often come in contact with faecal matter and are exposed to extremely unhygienic conditions. We are prone to skin infections and other respiratory disorders. But with the resting quarters at service stations providing hot water round-the-clock and disinfectants we can keep ourselves clean after work,” said a sanitary worker from Peenya.
C Ganagadri, president of BWSSB Sanitary Workers’ Union, said, “We had asked the BWSSB to construct restrooms long back to help workers can clean themselves immediately after work.”
“The board is coming up with restrooms. The ones built are maintained well. The hot water and toiletries in the restroom help us clean ourselves and wash our clothes after work,” he added. The union has asked the board to provide a service station each of the 198 wards. The city has only 152 permanent sanitary workers.