During a recent visit to a waste segregation center in the Kathmandu Valley, I had a profoundly moving conversation with a sanitation worker whose story left a lasting impression on me. I was immediately struck by the complete absence of even the most basic health and safety measures in her working environment.
Out of fear and stigma, she requested to remain anonymous. A mother to a newborn and a child in Grade 4, she lives with the constant anxiety that if her children—or others—discover her occupation, they might face discrimination. She worries that her children could be socially isolated or presumed to be at risk of communicable diseases simply because of her profession.
Her concerns extend beyond family. She explained that disclosing her role as a sanitation worker often leads to housing discrimination. Landlords in Kathmandu, she said, refuse to rent rooms to people known to work in waste management. Tragically, her story is not unique—it echoes the reality of countless sanitation workers across Nepal.
Accurate data on the total number of sanitation workers in Nepal remains limited. However, sector experts estimate that between 15,000 and 20,000 individuals are engaged in sanitation services nationwide. In the Kathmandu Valley alone, approximately 2,000 sanitation workers are employed in waste collection, segregation, and transportation, while more than 5,000 waste pickers contribute to the region’s waste management efforts. These workers are at the heart of Nepal’s urban sanitation system—collecting household waste, transporting it to segregation centers, manually sorting recyclables, and managing areas where waste services are inadequate. Many also perform the critical task of emptying fecal sludge from septic tanks, providing an essential but often invisible public service.
According to a World Bank report on 2020, urban areas in Nepal generate approximately 49,000 tonnes of solid waste every day. The effective management of this waste is made possible through the direct and indirect efforts of sanitation workers. Despite their indispensable role in protecting public health and the environment, they often work under hazardous conditions with limited recognition and support.
Ensuring the dignity, safety, and rights of sanitation workers is not just a matter of fairness—it is fundamental to building resilient, healthy cities.
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The daily lives of sanitation workers raise important questions: How do they survive in a society that often overlooks their sacrifices? Where do they live, and how are they treated by the educated and affluent members of the community? Seeking answers to these questions often leads to feelings of disappointment.
While a clean, beautiful, and livable city is a common aspiration, the heroes who make this possible often go unrecognized and suppressed. Many of them sort waste at collection centers. They endure injuries from the solid waste through from house, face eviction from homes upon disclosure of their profession, and are frequently subjected to social stigma. Tragically, some have lost friends to suffocation while working in septic tanks. These issues highlight the struggles of the heroes who keep our cities functioning.
Typically, sanitation workers are reluctant to voice their concerns, operating under the belief that their voices will go unheard. This silence creates a significant barrier to effective citizen participation and engagement in the development process and journey to ensure right to water and sanitation.
Despite their critical role, the delay in addressing their rights, job security, and access to healthcare remains apparent. Many local governments have yet to prioritize these issues, and workers often lack the means to address their grievances with local authorities. It is unrealistic to expect a clean city without prioritizing the health, safety, and dignity of the sanitation workers who sustain its beauty and vitality. Even simple initiatives can lead to significant enhancements in their lives.
Local governments should collaborate with the environmental and waste management sector to develop comprehensive profiles of sanitation workers. This data should reflect the various roles they play within the sanitation value chain, from street cleaning to waste management. A detailed understanding of this information will guide future initiatives and policy decisions to effectively address the challenges faced by sanitation workers.
Sanitation workers often face health risks due to their exposure to hazardous materials. Local governments should coordinate with collection center operators to establish comprehensive health insurance and safety protocols, ensuring that workers can perform their jobs without undue risk. Even temporary sanitation workers should be monitored and given some support.
Many workers lack basic safety equipment, exposing them to constant danger. Local governments should explore mechanization in waste sorting and collection processes, similar to practices in countries like India, where workers are legally prohibited from entering septic tanks, thereby protecting their lives.
Local governments should implement systematic monitoring of sanitation workers’ conditions to identify challenges and implement solutions. This includes ensuring the safety and well-being of workers employed by private collection firms.Local governments can develop guidelines for fecal sludge management, health and safety for sanitation workers, and solid waste management. A simple checklist can support in regularly monitoring their status. Additionally, a mechanism should be established to track all sanitation workers, including those working informally, within local government boundaries.
It is imperative to shift public perception of sanitation workers. Awareness campaigns should educate the community about the vital role these workers play in public health. Encouraging responsible waste sorting at home can improve both personal safety and public health outcomes. Sanitation workers can be respected by offering discounts on essentials like healthcare, education, and government services, supporting their dignity.
The aspiration for a beautiful, livable city cannot be realized without ensuring the safety, health, and dignity of sanitation workers. Their contributions deserve recognition and respect, and addressing their needs is essential for fostering a truly inclusive urban environment.
As we celebrate May 1st—World Labor Day—to advocate for workers' rights, we must also ask: who speaks for the sanitation workers who labor every day to keep our cities clean and healthy? Much like the sentiment captured in the popular Nepali song "Garibako Chameli BolidineKohi Chain", their voices often go unheard.
It is time to change that. We must recognize, respect, and ensure justice for sanitation workers. Without acknowledging their vital contribution, the spirit of World Labor Day remains incomplete.
As citizens, we have a critical role to play. Simple actions—such as segregating waste at the household level, treating sanitation workers with dignity, and actively advocating for their health, safety, and rights—can create lasting change.
Respecting sanitation workers is not charity; it is our responsibility for building healthier, more just, and truly inclusive cities.
(The above opinion is solely that of the author and does not represent the organization's viewpoint.)
