December 2024 A work in progress: some things change, but some things stay the same! Mike Poustie, Kashfia Mawa, Mir Tanvir Al Biruni and Tanvir Ahmed

The Photovoice activity was in collaboration with more than 40 sanitation workers from ten sanitation workers’ cooperatives across south-west Bangladesh.

At an initial workshop, the sanitation workers were provided with smart phones and trained in using digital cameras. They were given brainstorming time to discuss the types of subject matter they would like to photograph. They then had two months to take as many photos or videos as they wanted to.

After more than 500 photos were captured, the researchers revisited the towns to collect these and their accompanying audio stories created by the workers, which described the photos taken, the rationale behind each of them, and what they wanted to communicate or teach in sharing that image.

“This was how we worked before… but look, this is how we work now.” There was genuine passion in his voice, as one of the local sanitation workers spoke of the changes that have occurred over the past five years…

Photovoice Images 1a & 1b: “This is how we worked before.... this is how we work now” (describing changes over the past three years). Credit: PA/ ITN-BUET

"Previously, things were messy, with no directions about what to do and what not. Nowadays, we are encouraged to make savings. We have meetings and training [sic] held. We discuss many issues there which we could not do earlier. Now we are seen with dignity. Savings helped us, and we are proud of it."

Photovoice Image 2: “A good change is the establishment of the cooperative. Previously, we did not have a cooperative for women and now we have that.” Credit: PA/ ITN-BUET

Across the cooperatives, members spoke about how having a recognized sanitation worker organization enabled them to (i) build capacity, (ii) strengthen their occupational health and safety, (iii) increase their participation in decision-making platforms, (iv) improve social acceptance, and (v) achieve increased financial security.

Building capacity

"We are unified with the help of Practical Action. Previously we used to mind our own business, but now we believe in teamwork. If someone in our cooperative is in difficulty, we all come forward to help.”

This sentiment captures the sense of trust and unity that multiple cooperatives have built,

bringing workers closer together and encouraging a spirit of collaboration. This is critical for maintaining a successful and sustainable sanitation workers’ cooperative.

Promoting Health and Safety

Faecal sludge and solid waste management workers are exposed to numerous health and safety risks, and yet, in Bangladesh, pit emptiers continue to work manually without access to protective equipment.

Photovoice Image 3: “The PPE is helpful.” Credit: PA/ ITN-BUET

“We were never given safety tools by any other before [sic],” a worker noted. Another shared that [we were] “provided essential training that enhanced our understanding of occupational health risks,” while others spoke about access to mechanical desludging equipment.

Now, with training, all cooperatives are encouraged to use and have access to personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, masks and protective suits. Workers shared the PPE, especially the vests, which increased their identity as municipality employees.

Photovoice Image 4: "We are now educated and trained about safety measures." Credit: PA/ ITN-BUET

Despite these advancements, the reality on the ground was more nuanced. In the Photovoice images captured by the workers, many are still seen working without PPE. One worker explained, "We have the safety equipment, but it’s difficult to use it all the time because of the hot weather".

Photovoice Image 5: “Sometimes we work without PPE – especially when it is hot.” Credit: PA/ ITN-BUET

This dichotomy between near-universal access and the lack of use, demonstrates the ongoing challenges for behaviour change and unsuitability of this equipment. Workers themselves should be more engaged in the discussion about what PPE they are prepared to use in the field to ensure that any equipment provided aligns with their usability needs.

Improved social acceptance

Photovoice Image 6: “Even though people are educated, they didn’t view this work with dignity. However, thanks to joint efforts from NGOs and other organizations, people’s perspectives are starting to shift." Credit: PA/ ITN-BUET

“Previously, when we used to go to work, people used to say: ‘Look, the sweeper has come!’ but now they see us with respect,” one worker shared.

In the past, they were excluded from local tea stalls, they would be refused service at local restaurants and were not able to sit with others in public spaces. Now, these negative social behaviours are increasingly uncommon. Significantly, their children, once excluded from schools, are now able to study alongside their classmates.

Increased financial security

“Each month, we hold meetings and save money, which we deposit in the bank for future needs. These savings can go toward our daughter’s marriage or to help someone facing hardship. It’s a meaningful support for us.”

Photovoice Image 7: “Each month, we meet to save money.” Credit: PA/ ITN-BUET

Furthermore, the utilization of their savings, or the ability to take a loan from within the cooperative, has created additional income-generating opportunities.

Photovoice Image 8: “A cooperative member also bought a rickshaw with a loan from the cooperative. Our cooperative has given us financial security." Credit: PA/ ITN-BUET

Despite the above changes, other aspects remain unchanged.

Low salary and employment security

Despite stating that their financial security has increased through savings and the ability to take loans from within the cooperatives, workers still highlighted how low their salary was.

"Our payment is very little," one worker shared, reflecting a sentiment echoed universally across the ten cooperatives. These workers depend on a range of day-to-day income opportunities—“If we work, we get paid, if we do not work then unpaid”—without sick days, leave or any security or benefits.

Many workers are employed by the municipality as waste workers earning 5,000-7,000 BDT per month ($42-58 USD). They look to supplement this with work in pit-emptying or waste management for hospitals and other private institutions.

Poor quality housing

Photovoice Image 9: “We still live in an unhygienic situation.” Credit: PA/ ITN-BUET

Many sanitation workers live in ‘colonies’ designated for the sanitation and waste worker community. "In the housing we live in, it is not possible to live here like this when our child grows up," one worker said, therefore, exposure to health risks due to inadequate housing is an ongoing issue.

Some described improvements that have occurred since forming a cooperative: “The Municipality... constructed a reinforced concrete road in our colony. Additionally, the Municipality has built three toilets for our use and provides free electricity and water supply."

Photovoice Image 10: Improvements in a workers’ colony – “The Municipality has built three toilets for our use”.

Relationship between municipality and cooperative

“Even though we work in sanitation, we have a strong bond with the mayor.”

“In a meeting where the community elites and government stakeholders are present, I am also invited there, and my voice is heard. This did not happen previously.”

Members of these cooperatives clearly appreciated being able to have their voices heard and to contribute to the decisions that impact their communities and their lives. They described being welcomed and supported by the mayor and the municipality staff.

Photovoice Image 11: “Before we never came to the municipality office or city corporation. Now we can come here and have interaction." Credit: PA/ ITN-BUET

However, in some locations, there are strained relationships, leading to sanitation workers fearing that they could lose the little they have access to.

"We have a cooperative, but still, if we raise our voice, we might see our job is gone. The cooperative does not give us freedom of speech; we are small workers working here."

Photovoice results show that the success and functionality of cooperatives are not universal. While some enjoy trust, teamwork, and mutual support, others face internal distrust and struggle to find their voices and to gain the attention of local authorities. The success of cooperatives is not only about internal dynamics but is closely linked to external relationships and support systems. Even where unity and cooperation exist within these groups, their success can be limited by systemic barriers that hinder their progress.

The implications are that while sanitation workers’ organizations are helpful in enabling collective voice, they are also limited in their ability to drive practical change in municipality decision-making, which has a profound impact on the livelihoods of sanitation workers.

Acknowledgements

The greatest thanks go to the sanitation workers of Bangladesh for their partnership in this research. We would like to acknowledge Dr Dani Barrington and Dr Mariam Zaqout for their review of the blog, and express our appreciation to the Initiative for Sanitation Workers for funding this research.

Author Information

Dr Mike Poustie works as a Research Analyst for Practical Action in Bangladesh. Mike has over 15 years’ experience in water, sanitation and drainage engineering in developing countries, most recently living and working in regional Bangladesh since 2019.

Kashfia Mawa is passionate about public health. She is an Assistant Officer with Practical Action in Bangladesh, specialising in communication and knowledge sharing about FSM services and strengthening the FSM sector.

Tanvir Mir al Biruni is a Research Associate at the International Training Network at the Bangladesh University for Engineering and Technology. 

Dr. Tanvir Ahmed received both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in civil engineering from BUET and a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA. He is currently working as a Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, BUET. His research interests broadly encompass waste management and recycling, risk assessment and environmental pollution.