Health and Safety for Waste Pickers: A Basic Right, Not a Luxury
Waste pickers play a vital role in protecting the environment, improving public health, and promoting recycling. Yet, despite their essential contribution, many waste pickers work in hazardous conditions without adequate protection, training, or recognition. For cities like Dar es Salaam, ensuring health and safety for waste pickers is not only a matter of human dignity, it is a legal obligation and a necessary foundation for community well-being.
In a recent seminar held in Dar es Salaam by Juza Waste Pickers Initiative, over 400 waste pickers received vital training on occupational health, safety, and personal protection. These training addressed the pressing risks faced by waste pickers daily, exposure to hazardous waste like used syringes, chemical residues, sharp objects, hospital waste, and airborne diseases such as tuberculosis. Without the right knowledge and equipment, these risks can lead to serious injuries, chronic illnesses, or even death.
The training was opened by Nassib Kitabu, the Executive Director of Juza Waste Pickers Initiative, and Dr. Mahija Waziri, the organization’s Secretary. Together, they inspired and encouraged waste pickers to take their health and safety seriously, emphasizing the importance of their work to the cleanliness and sustainability of the city.
Paul Damiano Gogo, a key advisor to Juza Waste Pickers Initiative, delivered impactful sessions on the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of maintaining personal well-being. Safety and occupational health professionals Godfrey Mgulwa and Lucy Ngata led practical sessions to empower participants with knowledge on how to avoid injuries, prevent infections, and safeguard themselves while handling waste. Additionally, Peter Renatus from Tokomeza Kifua Kikuu na UKIMWI Tanzania provided training on preventing tuberculosis, a disease that remains a major risk in waste handling environments.
According to international labor standards, particularly those established by the International Labour Organization (ILO), all workers—including informal sector workers such as waste pickers—have a right to safe and healthy working conditions. The ILO’s Convention No. 155 on Occupational Safety and Health highlights the responsibility of governments and employers to ensure that workers are protected against workplace hazards. Training is considered a cornerstone of this protection, equipping workers with the knowledge to reduce risks and understand their rights.
When waste pickers are educated and equipped, they work more confidently and efficiently. They experience fewer injuries, lowering the burden on health systems and reducing the need for compensation or long-term care. Safe workers also contribute more productively, improving the efficiency of waste collection and recycling, which directly impacts environmental protection and urban sanitation.
After the training, participants—both women and men were given personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, boots, face masks, and specialized clothing. These tools are critical in minimizing direct contact with hazardous materials and offer a first line of defense against injury or illness. PPE also fosters confidence and peace of mind, allowing waste pickers to perform their duties without fear.
One of the most powerful components of the seminar was the inclusion of creative arts. Waste pickers themselves presented songs, poems, drama, and other performances that communicated messages of health, unity, and empowerment. These performances bridged literacy and language gaps, enabling participants to express their experiences and connect with safety messages in a relatable and memorable way. Creative expression also helped break the stigma surrounding waste pickers by showing their talents and humanizing their struggle.
Media outlets were invited to witness and amplify the event, helping to shine a spotlight on the importance of health and safety for informal workers. This coverage plays a crucial role in changing public attitudes and policy perspectives, proving that waste pickers are not invisible, they are essential service providers who deserve respect, protection, and support.
This training event was a significant step toward building a safer, more inclusive future for waste pickers in Dar es Salaam. It shows that when we recognize the dignity of every worker and provide the tools and education they need, we don’t just protect individuals, we protect entire communities. Safe waste pickers mean a healthier city. Their safety is not a luxury, but a basic human right. And when they smile, as they did at the close of the seminar, those smiles are more than expressions of joy, they are signs of hope, strength, and transformation.
