Daud Khel (Report by Zia Niazi) Sanitary workers under the “Clean Punjab” initiative are facing exploitation, as poor workers are being made to work 12-hour shifts without any increase in salary or overtime pay. Salaries are often delayed each month, and many workers receive less than the minimum wage. When will those involved in corruption in Clean Punjab be held accountable? If any worker raises their voice for their rights, they are dismissed from their jobs. Sanitary workers, who are responsible for beautifying cities and villages under the Clean Punjab mission, are currently victims of severe exploitation and injustice. These laborers, who work day and night, are made to work 12 hours daily without any overtime compensation or legitimate rights. Workers stated that
​​the 12-hour shifts and the elimination of overtime must be addressed. Officers often use the pretext of visits from the MD (Managing Director) or DC (Deputy Commissioner) to continuously require workers to work 12 hours, without any additional pay (overtime).
​Unjust Deductions and Penalties: If a worker takes a day off due to a serious necessity, 3,600 rupees are deducted from their salary, which is extreme injustice and blatant exploitation.
​Sunday Off Denial: Despite having the right to a Sunday off according to government regulations, workers are called to work unnecessarily.
​The claim of an eight-hour shift while demanding excessive hours for such low pay is a serious violation of human rights and labor laws. The DC of Mianwali, Shahid Abbas Khatia, and senior officials are urgently appealed to take immediate notice of this situation. Workers’ working hours should be limited to 8 hours from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM as per government regulations, and the unjust deductions from their salaries should be stopped. End the exploitation of laborers and restore their rights. Workers of Clean Punjab are required to arrive for duty at 5 AM in the dark, but their salaries are low; poor workers also want to spend time with their children.