Protect sanitary workers' rights across Pakistan, IHC tells govt

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the federal government to immediately implement protective measures for sewerage workers across the country, declaring the continued deaths of Christian labourers engaged in manual scavenging a grave violation of fundamental rights and a persistent failure of the state to fulfil its constitutional obligations.

- Tariq Butt

Justice Raja Inaam Amin Minhas, in his judgement, allowed a public interest petition filed by the Center for Rule of Law Islamabad Pakistan (CROLI) and the Pakistan United Christian Movement (PUCM), which had sought enforcement of safety protocols, a ban on manual scavenging, and legislative reforms to safeguard the rights of sewage workers, most of whom belong to the Christian community.