Training to improve institutional and managerial capacity of the scrap dealers

The influx of refugees from Myanmar has primarily increased the population of Cox’s Bazar. Teknaf and Ukhiya’s population rose to 1.5 million. This sudden population growth negatively

Training of Teknaf Scrap Dealers Association Members 

impacted existing health and environmental management systems, including underfunded and under-resourced solid waste management services.

Monthly waste almost exceeded 10,000 tons. To cope with this situation, UNDP launched “Sustainable Solutions to Solid Waste (SSSW)” in response to the crisis. The project is currently running in Teknaf and Ukhiya. 

UNDP also created two scrap dealer associations in Ukhiya and Teknaf after discovering that scrap dealers are a big part of waste management. These associations were established to create unity among the scrap dealers. A training program was also initiated to adapt to a developed waste management system so that the workers have proper safety guidelines, proper hygiene, and protective safety tools. 

The training module followed for all sessions were similar in Ukhiya and Teknaf. Objectives of the training sessions were: 

• Making executive members aware of their roles and responsibilities 
• Educating on the five principles and how the members can practice them 
• Educating the management committee members on administrative, managerial, and financial guidelines required to run an association 
• Educating management committee members on their financial duties 
• Preparing the association for yearly audits 
• Making members aware of conflict resolution processes 
• Explaining the benefits and scopes of being a member of the association 
• Giving a clear idea of the legal boundaries of an association

Training of Palong Raja Ukhiya Scrap Dealers Association Members

Each of the training sessions was two days long. General members and executive members learned about legal procedures about their businesses in-depth, how to use business pass-books, onboarding new members, qualifications and ability to join as an association member, taking and utilizing loans for their business, etc. 

They were also trained about the duties and responsibilities as a member of the association. This includes creating a budget and disbursing the money properly for the association’s welfare and prosperity. Furthermore, they understood how to take proper steps in the association’s interest and business. 

To gain recognition and reliability within the community and local authorities, the project has developed five key principles of the Association that each associated member must comply with: 1) Stop child labor, 2)  Safe work environment 3) Proper disposal of waste 4) Membership of the association with all required documentation in place 5) Gender balance. The dealers have received training on the principles during February 2021 and received IEC materials to place inside and outside their compounds.