Rights and respect.

THROUGHOUT the world, sanitation workers perform some of the most vital services that make daily living possible for everyone else. But in Pakistan, they continue to be the most marginalised, overlooked and ill-treated workforce. Born into their 'roles' by virtue of a cruel caste system - which may not exist on paper, but continues to be perpetuated in the minds of the people and employees - most sanitation workers use their bare bodies to collect and clean up filth underground, away from the eyes of polite society. And they often do so without any protective equipment, shoes or clothing, making them susceptible to a host of diseases and injuries. Since they 'inherit' their occupation, as if this is just what they are 'supposed' to do, most do not receive any formal training. In August, 30-year-old Rafiq Masih died while he was cleaning a storm-water drain in Landhi, Karachi, while his colleagues fell unconscious from inhaling toxic fumes. Earlier, in 2017, 28-year-old Irfan Masih was rushed to a government hospital in Umerkot after inhaling poisonous fumes. He tragically died after being...