Health, Safety and Dignity of Sanitation Workers
The global sanitation workforce bridges the gap between sanitation infrastructure and the provision of sanitation services. Sanitation workers provide an essential public service but often at the cost of their dignity, safety, health, and living conditions. They are some of the most vulnerable workers. They are far too often invisible, unquantified, and ostracized, and many of the challenges they face stem from this fundamental lack of acknowledgment. Sanitation workers are exposed to serious occupational and environmental health hazards risking illness, injury, and death. This report presents the findings of a study that examined nine case studies of sanitation workers in low- and middle-income countries, predominantly focusing on emptying pits and tanks, providing transportation of fecal sludge, and performing sewer maintenance. It is an initial analysis into a growing body of work on sanitation workers, but already the findings highlight several action areas to ensure that efforts in reaching Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 6.2 and 6.3 do not compromise the dignity, health, and rights of the workforce. Collecting data from literature and key informant interviews, the nine cases provide an overview of the key challenges sanitation workers face. The report also addresses good practices and suggests areas for action.
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Washington, DC: World Bank
2019-11-01
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| Subjects: | WATER AND SANITATION, SANITATION WORKER, EMPOWERMENT, WORKPLACE SAFETY, REGULATION, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH, FECAL SLUDGE MANAGEMENT, LABOR POLICY, LABOR STANDARDS, |
| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/316451573511660715/Health-Safety-and-Dignity-of-Sanitation-Workers-An-Initial-Assessment https://hdl.handle.net/10986/32640 |
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| Summary: | The global sanitation workforce
bridges the gap between sanitation infrastructure and the
provision of sanitation services. Sanitation workers provide
an essential public service but often at the cost of their
dignity, safety, health, and living conditions. They are
some of the most vulnerable workers. They are far too often
invisible, unquantified, and ostracized, and many of the
challenges they face stem from this fundamental lack of
acknowledgment. Sanitation workers are exposed to serious
occupational and environmental health hazards risking
illness, injury, and death. This report presents the
findings of a study that examined nine case studies of
sanitation workers in low- and middle-income countries,
predominantly focusing on emptying pits and tanks, providing
transportation of fecal sludge, and performing sewer
maintenance. It is an initial analysis into a growing body
of work on sanitation workers, but already the findings
highlight several action areas to ensure that efforts in
reaching Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 6.2 and 6.3 do
not compromise the dignity, health, and rights of the
workforce. Collecting data from literature and key informant
interviews, the nine cases provide an overview of the key
challenges sanitation workers face. The report also
addresses good practices and suggests areas for action. |
|---|