Pakistan Diary: The Silent Struggle of Pakistan’s Christian Sanitation Workers

X: @vivekbhavsar

In the bustling streets of Pakistan’s cities, where life moves at a relentless pace, there exists an invisible workforce—Christian sanitation workers who clean the very streets they are often shunned from walking on as equals. Despite performing an essential duty, they live in the shadows, facing daily discrimination, hazardous working conditions, and an unrelenting cycle of economic hardship.

The roots of this issue stretch back to colonial times when sanitation jobs were assigned to marginalised groups. Today, an overwhelming majority of Pakistan’s sanitation workforce—both street sweepers and sewer cleaners—comes from the Christian community, which forms about 1.6% of the country’s population. Many inherited this work from their ancestors, with little opportunity for upward mobility.

Job advertisements for municipal sanitation roles often specify that only non-Muslims—implicitly, Christians—should apply. This institutionalised segregation leaves little room for alternative employment, forcing generations into a profession that exposes them to hazardous environments without basic safety measures.

Sanitation work in Pakistan is perilous. Many workers clean sewage lines without protective gear, often descending into manholes filled with toxic gases. Deaths due to asphyxiation or exposure to harmful chemicals are common, yet most workers have no access to health insurance, compensation, or legal protections.

In one tragic case from Lahore in 2017, two Christian sanitation workers died after inhaling toxic gases while attempting to unclog a sewer. A Muslim paramedic refused to touch their bodies, citing religious restrictions, leading to further outrage within the community.

Despite their contribution to public health, these workers are often ostracised They live in overcrowded colonies with limited access to clean water and education. Their children face bullying in schools, reinforcing a cycle of poverty and exclusion.

A 32-year-old worker from Karachi shares, “We work before sunrise, cleaning the roads so that the city wakes up to clean streets. But people avoid us, calling us ‘chuhra’ (a derogatory term for sanitation workers). My children are growing up knowing that no matter how hard we work, society sees us as untouchable.”

Despite these challenges, many are striving for change. Organisations and activists have been advocating for better wages, protective gear, and policies that allow these workers to break free from generational bondage. Some have found opportunities in education and private employment, but the journey is steep.

Church groups and non-profits are stepping in to provide skill training, scholarships, and awareness programs. One such initiative in Islamabad trains young sanitation workers in computer literacy, offering them an alternative career path.

Christian sanitation workers in Pakistan remain among the most overlooked and vulnerable communities. Their silent struggle is not just about dignity in labor but about the fundamental human right to equality and safety.

Until systemic changes ensure their protection, recognition, and opportunities for social mobility, they will continue to bear the weight of a society that depends on them but refuses to acknowledge them.

This Pakistan Diary seeks to give voice to those who remain unheard—the custodians of the nation’s cleanliness, fighting for a future where they are seen as more than just their jobs.