Urban solid waste management and the decent work: Insights from Tanzania’s key cities

Abstract

Decent work remains a critical challenge for solid waste workers in urban Tanzania, where rapid urbanization and inadequate waste management policies have created precarious labour conditions. This study investigates the labour practices of employed and freelance solid waste workers in Tanzania’s major cities namely Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, and Dodoma through the lens of the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) decent work framework. Focusing on key areas such as job and income security, fair wages, occupational health and safety, child protection and social security. The research draws on a survey of 431 waste workers and interviews with 30 key informants from waste management companies, community organizations and government authorities. Findings revealed that the average reported monthly pay is calculated to be TZS 220,264, below paid employees’ average earnings (TZS 390,992) and the median earnings (TZS 300,000). Additionally, the average monthly salary of solid waste workers is lower than that of self-employed individuals (TZS 327,057) but higher than those employed in agriculture (TZS 169,377). The wages for waste workers are low compared to the intensity and risk of the work. Income and job security for freelance waste pickers are particularly precarious. The overall decency of work in this sector is largely constrained by insufficient investment by municipalities and the reluctance of waste-generating households and businesses to pay for collection services. Additionally, poor monitoring of the sector’s performance and lack of consistent use of protective equipment underpins unsafe working conditions. This study calls for immediate public policy action to increase investment in waste management infrastructure, foster value addition in recycling and compel plastic manufacturing firms to compensate recycling workers fairly.