PPE Kit distribution & orientation for Core Sanitation Workers held in Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar(28/10/2024): Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) in collaboration with Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR), organized a PPE Kit distribution and orientation for Core Sanitation Workers today at Pokhariput Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC) in Bhubaneswar.
The event involved 57 workers from Wards 46, 48, 50, 51, 52, 62, 63, 66, and 67, alongside representatives from government bodies, civil society, multi stakeholder forums, and private organizations. In response to the welcome address, Sulochana Das, Mayor of BMC, agreed with Samir Ranjan Dash that working for the rights of Core Sanitation Workers is the crying need of the hour.
In her Keynote Address, the Mayor exhorted them to wear PPE kits to ensure their safety and assert their dignity.
She announced a partnership with High Tech Medical College to provide Core Sanitation Workers with special health cards for free medical treatment, enhancing health security for them and their families. Sumati Dei, a Core Sanitation Worker, committed to using the PPE kit while working and educating other workers about its importance. Meghna Sahoo, Chairperson of the Third Gender Welfare Trust, acknowledged sanitation work as a vital social service and expressed solidarity with BMC, CFAR and Garima for enhancing safety of core sanitation workers.
In this context, she highlighted the role of sexual and gender minorities in fecal sludge treatment plants, aiming to join forces with the core sanitation workers and together dismantling social stigma against the work in more ways than one. Ganesh Parida from Garima referred to Core Sanitation Workers as the nation's soldiers, stressing the need for them to wear safety equipment, including helmets, safety boots, eyewear, earplugs, masks, gloves, and protective clothing. Rajkishore Jena, General Manager of FSMC Pvt.Ltd., discussed entrepreneurial skills and laws regarding the trade and work.
He encouraged them to convert sludge into organic manure in partnership with the state government. Dr.Usharani, Medical Officer at UPHC, urged sanitation workers to take precautions and undergo monthly health check-ups to track and treat infections at the earliest. Pradeep Kumar Nayak, a sewerage line supervisor, noted that while PPE kits are provided, some workers are reluctant to wear them.
He suggested that to find ways to strengthen compliance and if necessary, even take recourse to disincentives like fines so that the hesitation to adopt new practices is overcome Chandan Kumar Nayak, a cesspool vehicle operator, remarked that full implementation of the Garima scheme would greatly benefit Core Sanitation Workers. Finally, Pratima Nayak encouraged her fellow workers to utilize the personal protective gear for their safety .
