The Sanitation Workers’ Rights in Bangladesh (SWRB) project, funded by the Democracy at Work Fund, is a rights-based initiative implemented by PARITTRAN to improve the socio-economic and occupational conditions of sanitation workers living and working in Dhaka's North and South City Corporations. Launched on July 1, 2024, and scheduled to continue through July 2026, this project aims to promote fair labor practices, health and safety standards, and dignified livelihoods for sanitation workers, who have long been marginalized and subjected to systemic discrimination. 

Over the first eight months, the project has made notable progress in creating awareness, building solidarity among sanitation workers, strengthening institutional capacity, and initiating policy dialogue with city authorities and national institutions. Key achievements include staff recruitment and orientation, group formation, stakeholder meetings, national-level engagement, and the establishment of platforms for collective advocacy. 
 
To initiate the Sanitation Workers’ Rights in Bangladesh project effectively, a two-day staff orientation was held on November 17–18 at the Parittran Project Office in Keshabpur, Jessore. The event welcomed newly appointed project officers who will work closely with 300 sanitation workers from Dhaka North and South City Corporations. 

Since then, Parittran conducted five Monthly Progress Sharing Meetings which have played a critical role in fostering accountability, team coordination, and transparency.  
 
The project was officially launched on February 4 and 6, 2025, through a two-day event held in Dhaka where the key objectives were to raise awareness of the project’s aims and scope, to foster multi-stakeholder collaboration, to ensure inclusive participation from target communities and to gather feedback for strengthening project implementation. 
15 groups have been formed comprising 300 sanitation workers from Dhaka North and South City Corporations. These groups were created to ensure active participation, capacity building, and leadership development among sanitation workers—promoting their collective voice and strengthening solidarity. 
 
On March 21, 2025, on the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, a massive public gathering and procession were held starting from the base of the Central Shaheed Minar. The awareness-raising campaign aimed to change society’s perception of sanitation workers by promoting their human rights and dignity while eliminating discrimination. It sought the re-passage of the “Anti-Discrimination Bill - 2022” to secure their rights and improve living conditions. The campaign emphasized ensuring sanitation workers’ representation at national and local levels, expanding social security benefits, and implementing protective workplace policies. It also called for forming a National Sanitation Commission to address their issues. Key goals included securing housing, reserved parliamentary seats, education scholarships, and guaranteed employment to improve sanitation workers’ future opportunities and social inclusion. 
 
The project also led high-level advocacy efforts to promote sanitation workers’ rights by engaging with government bodies like the Labor Reform Commission and city officials in Dhaka. It submitted formal demands for fair wages, safe housing, and official recognition of sanitation workers. To amplify these efforts, it organized peaceful protests and public demonstrations, particularly against forced evictions. These actions raised awareness and pressured policymakers, contributing to more inclusive and rights-based urban policies.  
 
The project has initiated a comprehensive data collection and baseline survey to understand the current situation of sanitation workers in Dhaka South and North City Corporations. This survey gathers detailed information on workers’ demographics, employment conditions, wages, living standards, health and safety issues, and access to social services.  
 
Additionnaly, Parittran supported the Horijan community and sanitation workers by engaging in rights-based initiatives, facilitating a memorandum to the Labor Reform Commission, and actively collaborating with government reform committees to advocate for their interests. 
 
As a result of the unity and agitation of the sanitation workers, a publication was published on April 8, 2025 that the public sanitation workers of Dhaka South City Corporation had increased their bonus by an additional 2000 taka. This was not just a benefit - it was a symbol of financial, honor and dignity. 
 
From the beginning, the Sanitation Worker Rights in Bangladesh (SWRB) Project has contributed to notable progress in improving the status and rights of sanitation workers in Dhaka North and South City Corporations. Through sustained advocacy and strategic engagement, the project has fostered awareness, unity, and empowerment among sanitation workers, enabling them to collectively demand fair wages, dignity, recognition, and safer working conditions.