UNDP Baseline analysis of the socio-economic situation of Safai Sathi Report Design
The importance and scale of the work performed by the Safai Sathis, a large majority of this work exists in the informal economy. These workers are often unprotected by labour rights frameworks and laws. Their contributions to both – the overall economy and the recycling economy – remain largely invisible due to the informal nature of their work. At a more granular level, anecdotal evidence suggests a high concentration of socially disadvantaged groups within the lower rungs of the waste management ecosystem. With limited earning capacity, Safai Sathis from historically disadvantaged communities are now facing the increased risk of falling back into poverty and experiencing insecurities relating to food, income, work, and livelihood.
