“I am scared but I have to work”

Millions of sanitation workers have been at the frontlines of India’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. Despite providing an essential public health service to residential colonies, hospitals, and commercial establishments, most work without safety gear and have no social security. Manoj and Chandraskhekhar, who have been working with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) for several years now as a sanitation worker and driver, respectively, have a similar story to tell.

Harsha Pareek is an editorial associate at India Development Review.

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Know more: Explore this photo essay on how sanitation workers live and work in urban India.