Amnesty International has issued a stern call for Pakistan to eradicate the systemic discrimination and human rights abuses plaguing its sanitation workers. This demand follows the publication of a distressing report detailing the hardships faced by this marginalized group. The report, a collaborative effort with the Pakistani Centre for Law and Justice, was based on interviews conducted between February and September 2024, highlighting widespread discrimination rooted in religion and caste.

Sanitation workers, often belonging to religious minorities such as Dalits and Christians, reportedly endure severe stigmatization linked to their profession. The report outlines how these workers are segregated in public spaces such as eateries and are relegated to lower job positions due to their perceived lower social status. Female workers face even harsher realities, receiving lower pay than their male counterparts and frequently working under informal, insecure conditions.

The challenges extend to workplace safety, with many workers lacking access to necessary safety equipment, leading to health issues including allergies and respiratory problems. Despite these risks, the necessity of securing a livelihood compels them to continue in these roles, often under the threat of abrupt job termination.

The rights group’s report criticizes the Pakistani authorities for their failure to align domestic laws with international norms. It urges immediate legal reforms to ensure fair recruitment practices, equal pay, job security, and the elimination of caste-based discrimination, in compliance with international obligations such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Discrimination Convention of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

This call to action is not isolated. Pakistan has faced international scrutiny and pressure previously, notably concerning the misuse of blasphemy laws against religious minorities, as reported by Human Rights Watch and condemned by the United Nations. These global entities have repeatedly urged Pakistan to strengthen its legislative framework to protect these vulnerable groups from discrimination and violence.

Amnesty International’s latest report serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by sanitation workers in Pakistan and the urgent need for systemic change to uphold their dignity and basic human rights. The organization continues to press for significant legislative and practical measures to foster an environment of equality and safety for all workers, regardless of their caste or religious affiliation. This issue remains a litmus test for Pakistan’s commitment to international human rights standards.