The cleanliness of Jammu city has improved significantly in recent years, thanks to the tireless efforts of approximately 3,000 sanitation workers. However, the plight of these workers remains largely unaddressed, as they continue to work under challenging conditions with minimal financial security and inadequate safety provisions. Sanitation workers perform one of the most hazardous jobs, often handling waste without essential safety gear such as gloves, masks, and uniforms. This disregard for their health and safety is unacceptable. The JMC must take full responsibility in ensuring that all sanitation workers, whether regularized or contractual, are equipped with necessary protective gear. Another pressing issue is the non-regularization of workers, despite years of dedicated service. Many sanitation workers have been engaged for over a decade, yet they remain on temporary contracts with meagre salaries. The Minimum Wages Act must be enforced in Jammu & Kashmir, and the long-pending demand for regularization should be addressed without further delay. Additionally, the implementation of SRO 43 benefits for sanitation workers should be considered to provide financial security to their families in case of unforeseen circumstances.
The Jammu Municipal Corporation earns a modest Rs. 35 crore annually while its expenditure stands at a staggering Rs. 400 crore. With only 50 percent of the city’s population paying sanitation fees, the financial strain on JMC is apparent. However, the burden of financial constraints should not translate into the neglect of those who ensure the city’s cleanliness. Despite the launch of an app with much fanfare for online sanitation fee collection, it has yet to become fully operational. A considerable number of households, especially those with multiple tenants, either pay nothing or contribute a negligible sanitation fee. JMC must take fee collection seriously, as there is little point in increasing the sanitation fee while still collecting only half of the potential revenue. Alternatively, the Government must step up to bridge the financial gap in JMC’s functioning, ensuring that sanitation workers are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. A clean city should not come at the cost of workers’ well-being.
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