Sanitation workers provide an essential public service to reach Sustainable Development Goal 6.2, but often at the cost of their dignity, safety, health, and living conditions. A key barrier to providing support for this profession is the insufficient data on sanitation workers and their work environment. As such, the aim of this assessment was to explore opportunities to support sanitation workers in Tanzania, including strengthening the enabling environment.

The methodology included a literature review and 19 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) including sanitation workers, local government, and regulatory authorities. The assessment focused on three regions: Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, and Arusha.

The assessment identified three major types of sanitation workers: (1) government employed workers, (2) private service providers, and (3) informal workers. Sanitation workers face different levels of challenges concerning stigma, discrimination, social security, financial security, legal recognition, and occupational hazards that can lead to illnesses and injuries. The assessment also confirmed that faecal sludge in Tanzania is extensively disposed of untreated into the environment.

As such, the assessment identified the following recommendations to support sanitation workers and strengthen the enabling environment:

• Advocate for the recognition of sanitation workers.
• Develop the capacity of Local Government Authorities to register sanitation
service providers.
• Develop a suitable model for the formalisation of sanitation worker groups.
• Promote innovative desludging equipment.
• Develop an appropriate economic support model for sanitation workers.
• Promote adherence to health and safety requirements.
• Develop national guidelines on safe sanitation services.

Bibliographic information

WaterAid (2022). Assessment of the Health, Safety and Dignity of Sanitation Workers in Dar es Salaam, Dodoma and Arusha, Tanzania WaterAid

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Urban (entire city)Research publicationsEnglishImport to Sanitation Workers PlatformHealth & SafetyDignityHealth & SafetyDignity

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