In our day-to-day lives, we often cross paths with people whose work keeps our communities functioning—bus conductors, street cleaners, garbage collectors, security guards, and others working behind the scenes. Yet, these are the very people we so often ignore, look down upon, or treat with impatience. It’s time we asked ourselves: Why?
There is a deeply rooted tendency in our society to equate respect with position, wealth, or educational qualifications. Those who wear uniforms, perform physically demanding tasks, or work under the sun are often treated as if they are somehow “less.” But the truth is this: every job has dignity and every person deserves respect.
Consider this: Kathmandu Valley alone generates over 1,200 metric tons of solid waste every day, much of which is managed by over 1,500 sanitation workers, many from marginalized backgrounds. These workers rise before dawn, clean our roads, and handle the very waste we throw without a second thought. Yet, a 2023 study by the Centre for Labour and Social Studies Nepal found that 65 percent of sanitation workers reported being treated with disrespect or ignored entirely by the public.
Public transport workers, too—like bus conductors and microbus helpers, help tens of thousands of people reach their destinations daily. Despite their essential service, they are often met with rude behavior or treated as if their efforts have no value. This behavior isn’t just unkind—it’s unjust.
It reflects a societal gap in empathy and awareness. We must understand that dignity is not tied to one’s income, title, or background, but to the fact that each of us contributes, in different ways, to the collective good of our society. The health of our communities, the smooth functioning of our cities, and even our personal comfort depends on the labor of these hardworking individuals.
What we need is a culture shift. A shift that starts with something simple: respect. Meet the people we usually ignore. Let us teach our children to thank those who serve us—not just doctors and teachers, but also the cleaner who makes their school safe and the driver who takes them home. Talk to the street vendor and parking attendant. These small acts can build a more inclusive and humane society. But the real change begins with us—how we think, how we speak, and how we treat those around us.
In a just society, no one is “too small” to be seen or heard. Let us remember that the hands that sweep our streets and carry our garbage are just as important as the hands that sign documents and sit in offices. Respect should not be a luxury for the privileged. It should be a shared value that defines who we are as a people.
Ayushma Budhathoki
St Xavier’s College, Maitighar
