After death of street cleaner, Egypt tightens safety measures for cleaning workers

CAIRO – 11 August 2025: To protect cleaning workers and garbage collectors from the harsh summer sun and reduce the risks of sunstroke and dehydration, the Waste Management Regulatory Authority (WMRA), affiliated with the Ministry of Environment, has coordinated efforts with cleaning companies operating in waste collection, transportation, and street cleaning projects across Cairo, Qalyubia, and Alexandria.

The agency’s coordination with cleaning companies followed the recent death of a street cleaner in Zagazig, a city in Sharqia Governorate in Egypt’s Delta region. In the wake of this tragic incident, Islam Bahnasawy, Head of Port Fouad City Council in Port Said Governorate, announced the suspension of street cleaning work during midday hours (from 12:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M.)—when temperatures are at their highest—starting Monday until August 15, according to Al-Masry Al-Youm. Egypt is currently experiencing a sustained and gradual rise in temperatures, which is expected to continue through next Friday, according to forecasts from the Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA).

Acting Minister of Environment Manal Awad stated that the implementation of safety standards reflects a commitment to protecting human capital and supporting workers in the field, according to a statement issued by the Ministry on Monday.

Awad highlighted that creating a safe working environment for sanitation workers not only safeguards their health but also demonstrates society's respect for their essential role in maintaining the cleanliness and beauty of cities.

She stressed the importance of continued field monitoring and close coordination with companies and local authorities involved in integrated municipal solid waste management, to ensure the effective implementation of occupational health and safety standards and prevent workers from being exposed to heat stress.

Yasser Abdullah, Head of the Waste Management Regulatory Authority, confirmed that cleaning companies have shown a strong commitment to implementing these safety standards, particularly during extreme heat. Measures include intensifying manual sweeping operations during cooler hours—before and after peak heat periods—to avoid working in high temperatures.

Additional steps include relocating workers to shaded or side streets, increasing the use of robotic sweepers on main roads to reduce physical strain, and regularly distributing bottled water. Workers are also being encouraged to wear protective hats to shield themselves from the sun. On-site monitoring by sector managers and supervisors is ongoing to ensure workers' well-being and prevent any instances of heat-related stress.

There is no official data available on the total number of employees working in the cleaning sector across Egypt. However, the number of workers employed by cleaning associations and companies in Cairo alone reached 26,933, according to the Cairo Cleaning and Beautification Authority, as reported by Al-Watan on August 11, 2024.