Improving access to social protection for sanitation workers in South Asia

Around the world, sanitation workers perform an essential public service yet have limited social protection, low incomes and are prone to multiple health hazards. This synthesis report brings together three country studies conducted to assess the status of social protection schemes for sanitation workers in Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan. The accompanying policy briefs provide key recommendations for improving workers' social protection in those countries.

Sanitation workers provide an essential public service that ensures cleanliness and safety along the sanitation chain. This is key to achieving the ambitious sixth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG6), but poor working conditions, social and economic marginalisation, and a high risk of infection, injury and even death mean the work often comes at the cost of their dignity, health and life. Strengthening social protection schemes for sanitation workers is important to reduce and compensate for the innate risks of their profession.

To assess the status of social protection schemes for sanitation workers, WaterAid commissioned a study in Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan which explored access to and coverage of these schemes, as well as the gaps and challenges faced by sanitation workers. The methodology included household surveys and key informant interviews with various stakeholders, such as sanitation workers and government officials in the three countries. Based on the findings, the study made recommendations for improving the social protection for sanitation workers, addressing target 1.3 of SDG6 on universal social protection systems and measures, and SDG8 on the promotion of decent work for all.

The following documents are available. 

• The Access to Social Protection by Sanitation Workers in South Asia – synthesis report brings together the three country studies using a comparative framework
• The South Asia policy brief provides key recommendations for improving social protection for sanitation workers based on findings from the three country studies
• The Bangladesh policy brief provides key recommendations for the government and other stakeholders based on the study in Bangladesh
• The Nepal policy brief provides key recommendations for the government and other stakeholders based on the study in Nepal
• The Pakistan policy brief provides key recommendations for the government and other stakeholders based on the study in Pakistan