A national-level dialogue titled "Safeguarding Sanitation Workers' Rights and Welfare" was held at InterContinental Dhaka on 12 December 2024.

Organized by Practical Action in collaboration with the FSM Network, the event focused on addressing the challenges faced by sanitation workers across Bangladesh and aimed to foster actionable discussions for building safer, more inclusive ecosystems for the sanitation workforce, a press release said.

The dialogue featured two sessions: "Strengthening FSM Practices, Policy Implementation, and Worker Inclusivity" and "Financial Inclusion for Entrepreneurship Development and Sustainability." These sessions brought together government officials, development organizations, and workers’ associations to deliberate on improving the conditions of sanitation workers.

Nasima, a sanitation worker from Faridpur Municipality, shared the struggles faced by her community, emphasizing the lack of basic safety equipment and inadequate wages. She highlighted recent incidents, including the deaths of two workers in Kushtia due to septic tank suffocation, and urged authorities to draft policies addressing these pressing challenges.

Chief Guest A H M Shafiquzzaman, Secretary of the Ministry of Labor and Employment, emphasized that sanitation workers are essential contributors to societal well-being and must be treated with dignity. He pointed out that the current wage of 3,000 BDT per month for sanitation workers is inadequate and called for reforms to bring parity with recent wage increases in other sectors. He also discussed the need to integrate workers into formal systems to enable access to health and pension schemes.

The event underscored the importance of worker-friendly policies, financial inclusion, and sustainable development to improve the lives of sanitation workers in Bangladesh. It served as a significant step forward in addressing the dignity, safety, and welfare of sanitation workers, emphasizing the need for inclusive policies and actionable solutions.