Environmental Management Administration

The work of sanitation workers is complex and carries high risks. For a long time, under the principles of "serving the public" and "efficiency-oriented," the awareness of occupational safety and health management has been neglected by local environmental protection agencies. Although the Environmental Management Administration (EMA) of the Ministry of Environment is not the employer of sanitation workers nor the competent authority for the "Occupational Safety and Health Act," due to its concern for sanitation worker welfare, it has proactively taken numerous measures to support local environmental agencies in supporting sanitation worker care as well as provided subsidies for uniforms, established a "Sanitation Worker Day," promoting sanitation worker welfare through tangible steps.

In 2020, the administration formed the "Occupational Safety and Health Promotion Committee for Government-employed Sanitary Workers" as a communication platform facilitating collaboration with local environmental agencies to jointly promote sanitation worker care. In 2021, the administration formulated safety operation standards, health protection plans, self-inspection plans, and sample training materials on hazard prevention to establish a framework for occupational safety and health for sanitation workers. From 2022 onwards, the administration has held safety training, awareness campaigns, and regional observation events to help sanitation workers obtain professional certifications, thereby enhancing their expertise and reinforcing their awareness of occupational safety and health.

After understanding occupational safety and health realities of sanitation workers as well as ensuring systems are in place and training provided, the administration also conducts occupational safety and health performance evaluations. This reinforces the administration and local environmental protection agencies’ management intensity. The administration shall continuously track and guide local environmental protection agencies in implementing occupational safety and health management for sanitation teams, thereby promoting sanitation workers’ safety and health at work.

To elevate the quality of health care for sanitation workers, the administration initiated a pilot program for on-site health management and promotion services in 2024. The program targets sanitation teams with fewer than 100 workers and arranges for qualified occupational physicians and nursing personnel to conduct on-site visits, health advocacy, hazard identification, and individual health consultations, thereby assisting workers in understanding their health status and potential occupational risks.

Through practical guidance, not only do workers learn health management concepts, supervisors also understand how to implement the four major protection mechanisms of "Maternal Health Protection Plan," "Ergonomic Hazard Prevention Plan," "Prevention Plan for Workplace Violence (Unlawful Infringement in the Performance of Duties)," and "Prevention Plan for Diseases Induced by Abnormal Workloads." 55 service sessions were completed in 2024 and 2025, demonstrating active cooperation from local environmental protection agencies and reflecting a high demand for health support at the frontline level.

In 2025, in addition to existing on-site health services, the administration specially invited physical therapists to join the team, providing professional assessments and individualized recommendations to assist workers in mitigating musculoskeletal discomfort and reducing the risk of occupational injuries caused by long-term labor. This service not only strengthens health protection for workers but also enhances work efficiency, demonstrating the administration's long-term care for the physical and mental health of frontline personnel. Meanwhile, to expand service coverage, for frontline sanitation teams nationwide with fewer than 100 employees, the administration also facilitated on-site guidance for three local sanitation teams by the Center for Occupational Accident Prevention and Rehabilitation in 2025, utilizing diverse channels to continuously strengthen frontline health support.

To thank sanitation workers’ year-round hard work and pay respect to these silent heroes and considering the establishment of special days honoring various occupations such as Nurses Day, Police Day, Commerce Day, and Lawyers’ Day, the Ministry of Environment re-designated Oct. 25 as the annual “Sanitation Worker Day” according to the Ministry of the Interior’s “Enforcement Act for Memorial Days and Festivals” on Dec. 9, 2025.The establishment of the dedicated day honors the efforts of sanitation workers, boosts morale, and is combined with the Ministry of Environment's annual ceremony recognizing model sanitation workers, which highlights sanitation workers' spirit of silently fighting for environmental sanitation and allows the public to express its gratitude and respect.

The administration will continue to develop, promote, and facilitate relevant mechanisms for the welfare and care of sanitation workers and organize professional training and workshops for sanitation workers, with the goal of helping local environmental agencies in putting more importance on the management of occupational safety and health for sanitation workers through effective measures, jointly becoming sanitation workers' strongest support.