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November 2024 My name is Tika Lal. I am a sanitation worker. Story of a sanitation worker from Nepal

A sanitation worker disposes of faecal sludge in an open area, highlighting the urgent need for adequate faecal sludge treatment plants.

Tika Lal, a sanitation worker from Nepal, has spent 17 years managing faecal sludge, facing hazardous conditions, societal stigma, and irregular pay. Despite these challenges, he continues his vital work with resilience and hope. Empowered by training from FANSA and support from organizations like WaterAid, Tika Lal advocates for dignity, safety, and better working conditions. From unsafe septic tanks to the lack of hygiene facilities, his story highlights the urgent need for systemic change. Explore Tika Lal’s journey and join the call to respect and support sanitation workers, the hidden heroes of our communities.

Hello, I’m Tika Lal and I am a sanitation worker. For the past 17 years, I have dedicated my life to managing faecal sludge. If you have ever wondered what it’s like to work in the shadows, cleaning sludge, let me give you a glimpse into my world. My journey began at the age of 30 when, despite being illiterate, I discovered my calling in septic desludging. After receiving basic safety training and learning to use the necessary equipment, I started working as a sanitation worker in Pokhara sub-metropolitan city. It has been a journey filled with challenges and triumphs, and I'd like to share those with you. My story is one of grit—a relentless pursuit of dignity and hope, despite the many struggles along the way.

Every day, I face a range of dangers on the job, from gas leaks to open septic tanks—the risks are very real. Manual desludging often requires using kerosene and fire, adding another layer of hazards to an already dangerous task. But it's not just about the risks; the social stigma clings to us like the faecal sludge we handle. The name “septic tank dai (brother)” is a cruel reminder of how society views us. Our basic needs—water, soap, even a decent place to clean up—are often denied. In our office, there’s no bathing facility, and no washing supplies such as water or soap. I have to buy my own soap and manage my hygiene. Health check-ups? The municipality doesn’t provide them. I’m left to monitor my own health, a task I face with more anxiety than I care to admit.

A sanitation worker uses a vacuum truck to collect faecal sludge from a hard-to-reach area. Image: PT Lopchan.

A sanitation worker uses a vacuum truck to collect faecal sludge from a hard-to-reach area. Image: PT Lopchan.

Seventeen years into this demanding job, a sliver of hope finally arrived through training from the Fresh Water Action Network South Asia (FANSA) Nepal Chapter. The training on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) rights wasn’t just educational—it was transformative. It empowered my colleagues and me to demand change. We successfully fought for health insurance, though the social security fund remains a distant dream. With newfound knowledge, we began advocating for better working conditions. We want respect, not just for ourselves but for the profession we hold dear. Here are our demands:

  • Health and safety: There are significant gaps in critical safety measures. The municipality does provide some safety gear—masks, gloves, boots—but that’s where the support often ends. To improve our conditions, proper safety gear must not only be provided but also enforced. We need comprehensive safety training and regular updates on best practices. We need facilities for bathing and cleaning, proper uniforms, and risk work allowances to truly reflect the nature of our work. It’s also crucial to uphold the Labor Act of 2017, which guarantees our rights, including social security, regular health check-ups, and access to safety equipment. Health insurance and social security are not just perks—they’re necessities. The municipality must expedite our affiliation with social security funds and provide comprehensive health coverage. Regular check-ups and access to medical facilities will ensure our well-being.
  • Finance: Our pay is irregular and delayed. For each desludging service, we earn only NPR 300 (USD 2.25) on top of a modest monthly salary. This financial instability weighs heavily on us, making it hard to provide for our families. The municipality must ensure fair and timely compensation to ease our financial burden.
  • Infrastructure and equipment: As if the job wasn’t already hard enough, poorly designed septic tanks make the task nearly impossible. Some septic tanks are even constructed beneath bedrooms and kitchens. In the city, we have two municipal desludging tankers, and five managed by private companies. However, four of these are dedicated to water distribution, leaving us with only three tankers to handle an ever-growing waste problem. It’s a stark illustration of how inadequate infrastructure hampers our efforts and highlights the urgent need for better urban planning and investment in faecal sludge management. Municipalities should prioritise building standard septic tanks and faecal sludge treatment plants. Collaborations with private companies can increase the number of dedicated desludging tankers to improve waste management.
  • Dignity and respect: For this job, we need more than equipment, salaries, and infrastructure; we need respect. Changing societal attitudes is vital. Public awareness campaigns and educational programmes can help dismantle the stigma surrounding our work. Recognising and celebrating our contributions can elevate our status and bring the respect we deserve.
A sanitation worker disposes of faecal sludge in an open area, highlighting the urgent need for adequate faecal sludge treatment plants.Image: PT Lopchan.

A sanitation worker disposes of faecal sludge in an open area, highlighting the urgent need for adequate faecal sludge treatment plants.Image: PT Lopchan.

We are grateful for organisations like FANSA, ENPHO and WaterAid that are working to make this change happen. WaterAid has conducted a comprehensive study on the OHS of sanitation workers, and we hope something positive will come out of it.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. While this job provides some income, I can’t help but wish for something better for my family. I see the risks and the lack of respect we face daily, and I hope that my children will find careers that are both safe and respected. Yet, I also remain hopeful that through greater awareness and collective action, we can create a world where sanitation workers are truly seen and valued for the vital role we play in keeping our communities clean and safe. I dream of a future where our work is respected, our working conditions are improved, and our safety is guaranteed. By addressing these challenges, we can build a society that values every contribution, no matter how hidden or humble.

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This story was shared by Tika Lal (sanitation worker) and documented by Preeti Mittal (Senior Policy Advocacy and Campaign Coordinator, WaterAid Nepal), Srijana Karki (ENPHO) and Seema Rajouria (Head of Policy Advocacy, WaterAid Nepal).

For more information on sanitation workers in Nepal, read the policy brief.