Publication: Health, Safety and Dignity of Sanitation Workers: An Initial Assessment
Date
2019-11-01
ISSN
Published
2019-11-01
Author(s)
World Bank
ILO
WaterAid
WHO
Abstract
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.
Citation
“World Bank; ILO; WaterAid; WHO. 2019. Health, Safety and Dignity of Sanitation Workers: An Initial Assessment. © Washington, DC: World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/32640 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”