shakilWASH wrote: Sanitation workers are an essential part of any city, but their work often goes unnoticed and underappreciated. In Khulna city, located in southwestern Bangladesh, sanitation workers face a range of challenges and difficulties in carrying out their important work.Many sanitation workers in Khulna city are employed by the local government, but they often work long hours for low wages, with little job security or benefits. They are responsible for collecting and disposing of waste from homes, businesses, and public spaces, often in hazardous and unsanitary conditions.One of the biggest challenges faced by sanitation workers in Khulna city is the lack of adequate equipment and protective gear. Many workers do not have access to gloves, masks, or other protective clothing, which puts them at risk of injury or illness from exposure to hazardous materials.

"I got PPE and OHS training in 2018 and  during covid 19. But I don't feel comfortable to use PPE during work . It's make disterbance in work. So, I use PPE rarely if get pressure from authority. Moreover, I think it's make me more warm and over sweating in most of the time except winter. But I know, it's essential to use PPE for my safety. I will use PPE if these are manufactured with comfortable design and materials"

___Pranto Das(8 years Vacuum Tanker Emptying Profession ,KCC)

During focus group discussion with most of the sanitation workers both manual and mechanical , they won't use PPE due to uncomfortableness and lack of awareness. I think PPE should be prepared considering weather in our area and promote them regular counciling. In addition, sanitation workers in Khulna city often face discrimination and stigma from other members of the community. Their work is seen as dirty and unskilled, and they are often subjected to verbal abuse and harassment.

"We don't have any health and life insurance facility and permanent job facility. We just used once and through like waste. If we accident during work, we won't get any health compensation and nobody take responsibility to support us. It's our generation to generation problem. We are suffering extreme poverty at present due to introducing Vacuum Tanker Emptying service . We are unemployed day by day. What would be our future generations fate?  
My younger son at age 14 among 3 children. He goes with me and help my work. I won't able to sent for primary education. Education is our dream. My avarage monthly income is 4000 Taka($50).Do you know how we can servive with current price hike? We keep city clean, but what we get? We get poor payment , no permanent job and job facility. "

___Gopal Das (25 years manual emptying profession,KCC)

During focus group discussion with sanitation worker and  KII with Conservancy officer, it's found that sanitation workers job not get any formal recognition by permanent job and facilities. They get payment like pay per work daily basis and paid 450-550Taka($5-$7) for 6-8 hours. It's called "No work ,no payment" during sick or absence due to injury .It's comparatively half payment compare to formal sanitation worker(payed daily $10-$12 with others job facilities). In addition to about 97% sanitation workers are informal and deprived from their labors rights and decent job facilities. Despite these challenges, many sanitation workers in Khulna city take pride in their work and are committed to keeping the city clean and healthy. They work tirelessly day in and day out, often in extreme weather conditions, to ensure that waste is collected and disposed of safely and efficiently.To address the challenges faced by sanitation workers in Khulna city, there is a need for greater investment in infrastructure and equipment, as well as increased awareness and respect for the important work that they do. By providing sanitation workers with the tools and support that they need, we can ensure that they are able to carry out their work safely and effectively, and help to build a cleaner and healthier city for all.