WWF-Thailand held a Kick-off Workshop for the Saleng (a casual term referring to informal waste workers in Thailand) Association on 27 August 2025 in Surat Thani, as part of its collaboration with the Surat Thani Municipality and local partner Blue Ocean.
The workshop, attended by 87 members of the informal waste workers network, began with a brief on welfare and regulations by the Public Health and Environment Office, followed by a group discussion led by WWF-Thailand on access to wellbeing and welfare for members working in Material Recovery Facilities.
Strengthening the Informal Waste Sector in Surat Thani
This milestone event marked the official launch of WWF-Thailand’s project with informal waste workers in Surat Thani, introducing the project to members of the Saleng Association, local authorities, and partners, as well as building trust and strengthening collaboration among project stakeholders.
To gain more insights into the working conditions of informal waste workers, the workshop served as a channel to discuss their current needs and challenges, including access to rights and public services. The collected baseline data will inform project planning, capacity-building, and policy recommendations tailored to the local context.
In addition, saleng members were provided equipment such as large bags and free maintenance services for the saleng vehicle (a bicycle or motorbike with a sidecar) they usually use to collect waste, in order to boost the waste collection process.
[Also read: Trang Municipality Establishes its First Informal Waste Workers Network]
Empowering Informal Waste Pickers: Price Stabilization and Policy for Improved Livelihoods
Through discussions and individual baseline surveys, Surat Thani’s saleng or informal waste workers highlighted the need for a price-stabilization mechanism to ensure consistent value for recyclable materials, as well as improved welfare and retirement support. The feedback and insights gathered will inform future project planning, help identify capacity-building priorities, shape policy recommendations to strengthen the Saleng network, and improve the livelihoods of informal waste pickers in Surat Thani.
