Advancing safety and working conditions of waste workers in Nepal

KATHMANDU, Nepal (ILO News)- Informal workers often lack formal written employment contracts, social security and protection against workplace hazards. They face job insecurity, low wages, and limited safety measures, while gender disparities and low awareness of rights further increase their vulnerability.

Through its Promoting Rights and Social Inclusion through Organization and Formalization (PRS) - Phase 2 Project, ILO Nepal has been supporting the Solid Waste Management Association of Nepal (SWMAN) and its 65 affiliated private companies to promote safe, decent, and gender-responsive working conditions for waste management workers, while strengthening operational practices within the private sector.

ILO Country Director in Nepal, Mr. Numan Özcan interacting with a waste segregator at a transfer site.

On 15 December 2025, the ILO Country Director in Nepal, Mr. Numan Özcan visited two private waste management companies-Tarkeshwor Sarsafai Tatha Watawaran Samrakshan Pvt. Ltd. and Nepsemyak Sewa Pvt. Ltd. to assess progress to date, including occupational safety and health (OSH) practices and the newly established welfare facilities such as rest areas, breastfeeding rooms, and separate restroom facilities.

The visit included site observations and discussions with workers, enabling the ILO Team to gain first-hand insights into their working conditions, challenges, and achievements. The discussions also focused on recognizing progress made by companies, sharing good practices, and identifying areas requiring further improvement.

ILO team engaging with representatives from the Solid Waste Management Association of Nepal (SWMAN) and Tarkeshwor Sarsafai Tatha Watawaran Samrakshan Pvt. Ltd.

During interactions with representatives of waste collection companies and workers, the ILO Nepal Director emphasized importance of workplace safety and social security. "Social security is a right of every worker. Enrolling workers in the Social Security Fund (SSF) is a legal obligation of employers and a critical step toward formalizing employment and ensuring social protection of workers", said Numan Ozcan

Mr. Numan Özcan engaging with waste segregators to hear their workplace concerns.

Waste workers have long remained unrecognized, making such interventions critically important. From household-level waste collection to waste segregation at transfer stations, limited guidance has existed on maintaining OSH standards. The newly developed OSH guidelines address this gap by providing practical and clear procedures for waste collection and segregation staff to improve workplace safety and hygiene.

The intervention also included stakeholder validation of the Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures, with five targeted sessions conducted for managerial- and mid-level staff. SWMAN has committed to adhering to a Code of Conduct against violence and harassment, which has been endorsed and distributed to all member companies. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has been distributed to nine companies. As a next step, efforts are underway to ensure that all companies are formally registered and issue model employment contracts in compliance with the labour law. These guidelines will be instrumental in guiding private companies under SWMAN and in strengthening oversight by local governments.

Mr. Numan Özcan hearing a waste segregator's experiences at their workplace.

In the private waste management sector, workers are engaged either directly by companies or through subcontractors. Workers - particularly those employed through subcontractors - are predominantly informally employed, often without written contracts or social security coverage. The visit indicated improvements in subcontractors' compliance with social security enrolment. At Nepsemyak Sewa Private Limited, 14 out of 22 waste segregators employed by subcontracts have been enrolled in the SSF.

ILO Nepal team in conversation with the General Secretary of the All Nepal Cleaning Workers Union (ANCWU).

The Nepsemyak representative reiterated that ILO's intervention has increased workers' awareness of health and safety standards, including basic practices such as wearing masks while segregating waste.

Through ILO's support, SWMAN and its members have strengthened awareness of violence and harassment prevention, promoted the creation of gender-responsive workplaces, and provided welfare facilities such as breastfeeding rooms, separate toilet facilities, and resting areas. They have also improved employer compliance with the Social Security Fund (SSF) enrolment for workers.

ILO Nepal team at the Tarkeshwor Sarsafai Tatha Watawaran Samrakshan Pvt. Ltd. transfer site.

In addition to improving welfare facilities, SWMAN has committed to promoting decent work and formalizing the waste management sector. This includes a targeted plan to formalize businesses and engage in social dialogue with subcontractors, ensuring protection for all workers regardless of contract type.

ILO Nepal strives to uphold the fundamental rights of safety and dignity for every informal worker.

This visit underscores ILO Nepal's continued commitment to improving the livelihoods, safety, and dignity of informal workers, while supporting private waste management companies in adopting formal, safe, and inclusive practices. ILO's intervention has strengthened cooperation and collaboration between employers and workers, increased awareness of workers' rights, and contributed to a safer, healthier, and dignified workplaces.

For further information, please contact:

Nistha Rayamajhi

Communications Officer

https://www.ilo.org/nepal