A woman is fetching water.

Utilities (water, gas, electricity) sector

A woman is fetching water, India © Falise T. / ILO

Utilities (water, electricity and gas) are essential services that play a vital role in economic and social development. Quality utilities are a prerequisite for effective poverty eradication. Governments are ultimately responsible for ensuring reliable universal access of service under accountable regulatory frameworks. The SDGs require that utilities collaborate with governments to provide universal access to water, sanitation and electricity, and decent working conditions for their workers.  Governments should also promote dignified work for fecal sludge cleaners and women engaged in water fetching.  Adequate staffing and training in the use of new technologies help ensure efficiency and safety in the workplace.

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Shafique Massih, sewer worker in Lahore, Pakistan & Chair of the Punjab Sanitation Workers Union
As a sewer worker, I want respect and safer working conditions

As a sewer worker, I want respect and safer working conditions

I am a sewer worker in Lahore, Pakistan. I clear sewer system blockages. Every time I enter a sewer I don’t know if I will get out alive. I risk getting cut by blades and broken glass. Getting injured is a normal part of my job.

Resources

WASH@Work: a Self-Training Handbook (revised version)
Cover - WASH@Work: a Self-Training Handbook (revised)

WASH@Work: a Self-Training Handbook (revised version)

Workshop on decent work for sanitation workers in South Asia

Event

Workshop on decent work for sanitation workers in South Asia

SDG 6 - Water and Sanitation

Video

SDG 6 - Water and Sanitation

Wastewater and jobs: The Decent Work approach to reducing untreated wastewater

Working Paper no. 314

Wastewater and jobs: The Decent Work approach to reducing untreated wastewater

Events

Sub-regional tripartite workshop on decent work for sanitation workers in South Asia

Sub-regional tripartite workshop on decent work for sanitation workers in South Asia

Event to mark World Water Day 2016 and launch the World Water Development Report

World Water Day 2016

Event to mark World Water Day 2016 and launch the World Water Development Report

Spotlight on Water and Jobs

Spotlight on Water and Jobs

All publications

Agenda - South Asian Sub-Regional Workshop on Decent Work for Sanitation Workers, 11-13 October 2021 13h00-16h IST (UCT + 5:30 )

Agenda - South Asian Sub-Regional Workshop on Decent Work for Sanitation Workers, 11-13 October 2021 13h00-16h IST (UCT + 5:30 )

Health, Safety and Dignity of Sanitation Workers: An Initial Assessment

Health, Safety and Dignity of Sanitation Workers: An Initial Assessment

Wastewater and jobs: The Decent Work approach to reducing untreated wastewater

Wastewater and jobs: The Decent Work approach to reducing untreated wastewater