Sanitation workers at risk of Covid-19 in Bangladesh, 3 other SA countries: Study
September 03, 2020 00:00:00
Sanitation workers in Bangladesh and three other South Asia countries are working amid the Covid-19 pandemic with little protective equipment and poor access to handwashing and cleaning facilities, according to a new report from WaterAid, reports UNB.
The report, "Safety and wellbeing of sanitation workers during COVID-19 in South Asia", explored how the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic was impacting the lives and work of sanitation workers in South Asia.
Sanitation workers provide an essential public service that does not stop even during lockdowns. But despite this, they often work in terrible conditions with low pay, job insecurity and face social stigma and discrimination.
The research was carried out in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan over a period of approximately six weeks from the end of April until mid-June.
Various types of sanitation worker were interviewed, including sweepers, latrine cleaners and hospital cleaners, said a press release on Wednesday.
The report found that fear of infection and concern for family members was a common concern across all four of the countries under study.