Call for the Safety and Protection of Christian Sanitary Workers in Pakistan

Minority Concern expresses deep concern over the ongoing tragic incidents, discrimination, unsafe working conditions, and social marginalization faced by Christian sanitary workers belonging to religious minority communities across Pakistan. These workers perform essential public health services that keep cities, public spaces, and communities functioning, yet they continue to work in dangerous environments with inadequate protections and systemic inequality.In recent tragic incidents, on 6 May 2026, two sanitary workers, Shakeel Masih and Summer Masih, died while cleaning a sewerage line in Sahiwal area. On 7 May 2026, Sabbir Masih, 33, a father of three, died after inhaling toxic gases while working inside a 25-foot-deep main sewer line in Faisalabad. Sadly, these are not isolated cases. In April 2026, three Christian sanitary workers — Wilson, Waqas, and Nazeer — lost their lives in Karachi, while two others died in Faisalabad under similar circumstances. Reports indicate that around 80 sewage workers died across Pakistan between April 2022 and January 2023.Many sanitary workers are routinely exposed to toxic gases, hazardous waste, and life-threatening conditions. Frequent workplace injuries and deaths highlight the urgent need for stronger occupational safety standards, proper protective equipment, fair wages, healthcare access, and effective legal protections.Christian workers are disproportionately represented in sanitation and sewer-cleaning jobs due to widespread discrimination and limited access to employment opportunities in other sectors.“Sanitary workers are indispensable members of society. No individual should risk their life simply for carrying out essential public service work. Protecting the rights and safety of Christian sanitary workers is not only a labour issue — it is a matter of human dignity, equality, and justice,” said Aftab Alexander Mughal, Director, Minority Concern (UK).Minority Concern calls upon the Government of Pakistan, provincial authorities, municipal bodies, and employers to take immediate action to:• Ensure safe and dignified working conditions for all sanitary workers.
• Provide protective equipment, healthcare access, insurance, and emergency support.
• Enforce labour laws and occupational safety regulations without discrimination.
• End discriminatory hiring practices that channel religious minorities into hazardous sanitation work.
• Guarantee equal opportunities, fair treatment, and respect for the human dignity of Christian workers and their families.
• Conduct transparent investigations into workplace deaths and injuries and hold those responsible accountable.We also urge civil society organizations, religious leaders, labour unions, and the international community to support initiatives that promote human rights, worker protections, and religious equality in Pakistan.