Dhaka, a capital of Bangladesh, is developing economically at a high speed as other Asian bigger cities. It leads to the increase of production, consumption and waste generation. The increase of waste needs proper waste management. In the waste management in developing countries, an approach of social consideration is very important. But, the number of researchers or experience business persons holding such opinion is limited. Approach of social condition contains (1) removal of discrimination, and prejudice on cleaners and cleaning job, (2) formalization of waste pickers, (3) local governance in locality and (4) environmental education. This article focuses on waste pickers and waste picking children.
Academic approach started by C. Furedey in the late 1980s lead to a development approach and an integration approach in 1990s and 2000s. JICA tries to introduce formalization of waste picker. On the other hand, a child labor is prohibited in terms of labor law. In reality, there are still children who work as waste picker, although the number is decreasing. According to results of my survey on waste picking children, most of them have had experiences to go to school. Due to the increase of absence and harassment /violence by teachers, many children were forced to be dropped out or quit from school. But, children of UCEP school goes to school to study joyfully. Waste picking children who go to school is limited to the area, so called, of cleaners’ colony. Their working hour is shorter than non school going children and their incomes get smaller. Most of waste picking children refused to continue this kind of works in future because of negative impressions like shame and discrimination.
At the last chapter, two NGOs are introduced as bodies to reduce child labor or street children. They are Ekmatra and UCEP. Founders of both bodies were foreigners, who have provided an opportunity of joyful leaning and training, are running vocational schools. In this way, they try to decrease the number of child labor or street children. But, it is not enough. Because, it cannot cover the children who need to work for families facing acute poverty. Therefore, we need to look for a holistic approach including waste picking works of safety guaranteed and labor condition improved.