The COVID-19 pandemic and the unprecedented lockdowns in response everywhere has upset normal life and sent shockwaves through the formal and informal economy. Considering that waste management is an essential Service, the multitude of municipal safai karamcharis and informal waste pickers (safai sathis, as we call them) continue to be on the forefront of the crisis.

“The world might go into lockdown, but the waste never stops.”

Considering the high-risk environment that they work in, UNDP India and HDFC Bank have co-created the ‘Parivartan’s Dry Waste Management’ project which has been working to strengthen municipal waste management through a socio-technical model. This involves setting up Swachhta Kendra (Material Recovery Facility) and supporting Safai Sathis through social inclusion and occupational safety training.

The current COVID-19 situation has compounded risks for the safai sathis as they are exposed to used cloths, tissues, discarded masks, gloves and other hazardous substances (household municipal waste) that may be contaminated with the virus. Waste generation has not slowed down in these centres during the lockdown. Unless the waste is properly collected and managed, it could lead to other sanitation problems and health issues. While the safai sathis are at the centre of the waste management ecosystem in India, these informal workers barely have the safety net to manage through this pandemic.

Swachhta Kendras: Taking the lead in protecting our Safai Sathis

Swachhta kendras are ensuring that every safai sathi is trained on occupational safety, wear critical personal protective gears and follow good hygiene practices. Amidst this crisis, the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has become the most sought-after resource in the waste and health sectors, as the gap between supply and demand widens.

As part of this project, we have ensured that,

• All safai sathis have been provided with high quality hand gloves, masks and protective eye gear to protect high contact areas against the corona virus: nose, mouth and eyes.
• All safai sathi have been sensitized on COVID-19- on the current situation and its implications on daily lives. They are encouraged to promptly report on any symptoms of illness they or their family members experience. They were also guided on proper respiratory hygiene and effective handwashing as per WHO guidelines. The restrooms at Swachhta Kendras have been equipped with sanitizers and liquid soap.

Safai sathis have also been trained on how to handle, and dispose masks, gloves, tissues, napkins or other medical waste as per municipal guidelines.

• Field teams regularly monitor and explain to the safai sathis the importance of other behavioural aspects of prevention against COVID-19, such as social distancing at home and work
• Detailed signages regarding COVID-19 have been put across the swachhta kendras in both English and local languages with pictorial instructions for safai sathis’ ease of reference.

Another consequence of the lockdown is the severe loss of livelihoods, as most safai sathis depend on a daily wage. Out of work and with no cash in hand, they urgently require external interventions to make ends meet.

UNDP and partners through the project have provided food rations of rice, pulses, salt, oil and vegetables to 70 safai sathi families in Panaji so far to assist the Government of India in their endeavour of ensuring that ‘No one will go hungry’ and ‘no one is left behind’.

The Municipal Corporation of the city of Panaji has also supported our endeavours by issuing essential workers’ passes for the safai sathis. This has ensured that the safai sathis can continued to work and earn their living, while helping manage waste inflow through this lockdown. As part of this initiative, we have also initiated outreach activities in partnership with other NGOs such as Rotary Club to provide food rations to an additional 15 waste pickers families. One cannot yet accurately predict how our solid waste management industry will need to adjust, adapt to the COVID-19 situation.  UNDP is committed to the job at hand and is prepared to support the government and the community in the days to come.

The writer is part of the Plastic Waste Management Initiative at UNDP India