Monday
March 9
2026

Analysis: Who Pays for Dignity? Rethinking India’s Waste Economy

Despite the essential role that waste workers perform in any functioning city, they are often severely underpaid and denied the dignity, security, and recognition they deserve. This is especially true in India, where an estimated 4 million people work as Safai Saathis, or ragpickers, combing through hazardous landfills while facing extreme poverty and social alienation.

Source: Acumen (link opens in a new window)

Categories
WASH
Tags
human rights, poverty alleviation, public policy, waste