Empowering waste pickers through negotiation training

In February 24-25, 2025, leaders from the Waste Pickers Forums in Mogalakwena and Lephalale Local Municipalities participated in a negotiation and strategy training program organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) Circular Economy Project at the Shangri-la Hotel in Modimolle, Waterberg District.

The training aimed to equip waste picker leaders with essential negotiation and strategy development skills.

Facilitated by experts from Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO), the training focused on empowering waste picker leaders to effectively engage with stakeholders, advocate for their rights, and improve their working conditions.

Negotiation skills are vital for waste pickers to secure fair prices for recyclables, advocate for better working conditions, and build positive relationships with stakeholders. These skills enhance their livelihoods and foster dignity and respect for their work.

The training covered various Basic Negotiation Techniques, how to apply effective negotiation principles and communication. The 2-day training led to:

• Enhanced and improved negotiation techniques and drafting actionable strategies.
• Improved and increased forum member engagement and involvement.

• Increase capacity to develop practical preliminary plans for advancing waste

  pickers' interests.

To sustain the momentum of this initiative, the following recommendations were made:

• Follow-up periodic and workshops and mentorship programs.
• Building cooperative and partnership networks.
• Access to resources such as providing legal aid and communication tools.
• Awareness campaigns educating the public and policymakers on waste circular economy.
• Policy advocacy, advocating for recognition and protection of waste pickers.
• Monitoring and establishing a system to monitor long-term impact.
• Scaling the program activities and expanding training to more districts.
• Business development skills to complement negotiation and strategy skills.

The negotiation skills training program has been a significant step towards empowering waste pickers. Equipping them with the tools and confidence to negotiate better terms, fair wages, and improved working conditions, the program has laid the foundation for greater recognition and integration of waste pickers into formal waste management systems. Continued support and capacity-building initiatives will ensure these skills are effectively applied, fostering a more inclusive and sustainable waste management ecosystem.