Dehradun: Corona warriors armed with low quality masks ?

The sanitation workers here clean and sanitize the streets and by-lanes of Dehradun town early in the morning when there is a countrywide lockdown in view of the threat of coronavirus pandemic. Allegedly, hardly anything is done to ensure their safety while they are out cleaning and sanitizing the streets and the masks provided to them are not of high quality. However, the mayor and officials claim that the workers have been provided with all facilities.

Dehradun (Uttarakhand): Though the government has declared them as corona warriors fighting the deadly pandemic at the frontier, sanitation workers have not been properly armed with quality mask, gloves and sanitizer. Yet, 1,895 sweepers, scavengers and other sanitation workers employed by the Dehradun Municipal Corporation are compelled to work without proper safety equipment.

1,895 sanitation workers employed by the Dehradun Municipal Corporation

These sanitation workers clean and sanitize the streets and by-lanes of Dehradun town early in the morning when there is a countrywide lockdown in view of the threat of coronavirus pandemic.

Though the state government garland these sanitation workers from time to time to buck their spirit, hardly anything is done to ensure their safety while they are out cleaning and sanitizing the streets.

There are 1,895 sanitation workers

There are 1,895 sanitation workers employed by the Dehradun Municipal Corporation. Of these, 700 are permanent employees, 120 workers to clean up sewages, 75 work at night, while 800 are sweepers and 200 workers are outsourced. All these workers are engaged in keeping the city clean and sanitized. One supervisor for every two wards have been leading the sanitization work in the city as part of the anti-coronavirus drive. Besides, 50 large vehicles have been pressed into service to sanitize the main roads and streets.

Adequate masks not available

City president of the National Safai Mazdoor Sangh, Sonu Khairwal said that though the administration has provided all necessary equipment and material, the masks are not of high quality. The masks given to the workers last only for six hours. Yet, the same mask is used for several days. However, the mayor and officials claim that the workers have been provided all facilities. Moot question is for how long can the sanitation workers continue to use substandard quality masks.