ABSTRACT The absence of a vaccine and effective treatment for COVID-19 has created public panic and burdened the health systems in most countries. Along with health workers’, sanitation personnel are also working at the frontlines in the war against the disease by keeping cities clean. Sanitation workers are engaged in Drudgery, Dangerous, Dirty and Dehumanising work that makes them vulnerable for developing the chronic respiratory diseases due to the exposure of various hazardous materials and toxic gases that are emitted from the solid waste. The sanitation workers working on a contractual basis are excluded from the labour policies and welfare programs who are playing a vital role in fighting the pandemic. Women sanitation workers are even more vulnerable because most of them are non-literate, poor in financial management and under-represented in the sanitation employee’s union. The local and state governments should protect and safeguard sanitation workers by providing them with adequate protective equipment, ensure payment of paying adequate salaries and provide them with health insurance.

中文翻译：

---

前线的环卫工人：应对 COVID-19 的工作和脆弱性

摘要 由于缺乏针对 COVID-19 的疫苗和有效治疗方法，造成了公众恐慌，并给大多数国家的卫生系统带来了负担。除了卫生工作者，环卫人员还通过保持城市清洁在抗击疾病的前线工作。环卫工人从事繁重、危险、肮脏和不人道的工作，由于暴露于固体废物中排放的各种有害物质和有毒气体，他们很容易患上慢性呼吸道疾病。在合同基础上工作的环卫工人被排除在劳动政策和福利计划之外，他们在抗击大流行中发挥着至关重要的作用。女环卫工人更容易受到伤害，因为她们大多不识字，财务管理不善，在卫生雇员工会中的代表人数不足。地方和州政府应通过为环卫工人提供足够的防护设备，确保支付足够的工资并为他们提供健康保险来保护和保障他们。