Invisible Labor: Custodial Staff and Systemic Inequality in Government Work
Working as a custodian in a government ministry has taught me lessons that go far beyond the physical labor of cleaning and maintaining spaces. Over the years, I have come to see that many challenges custodial staff face are not isolated incidents—they are the result of systemic issues deeply embedded within the institutions we serve.
One observation is clear: the majority of people in custodial roles are often those without the relevant qualifications or opportunities to advance within the system. This structural hierarchy creates a dynamic in which teachers, principals, and other staff frequently look down on custodial workers. While the work we do is essential, the perception is that our roles are subordinate, and the system reinforces that narrative.
In some ways, this mirrors what sociologists describe in caste systems, such as the Indian caste structure, which, while outlawed in many countries, continues to influence social hierarchies in practice. People born into certain social or economic strata face barriers to opportunity and respect, and their voices are often marginalized. Similarly, custodial staff, by virtue of their position and lack of institutional representation, are often treated as a “lower tier” of the workforce, vulnerable to mistreatment, exclusion, and systemic bias.
I have spoken to many colleagues in schools and government offices, and a recurring sentiment is the lack of representation. Teachers benefit from union protections, professional advocacy, and clear channels to address grievances. Custodial staff, by contrast, often have no voice in matters that affect their work environment. Some cleaners report being discouraged from communicating with supervisors, while in other cases, supervisors themselves feel powerless to advocate on behalf of their teams. This lack of representation creates a vacuum where abuse, favoritism, and unfair treatment can flourish unchecked.
The consequences are profound. Workers are left vulnerable to accusations—sometimes truthful, but other times fictitious—malicious write-ups, or dismissal simply for being vocal when injustices occur. False accusations of theft, being labeled a “problem worker,” or targeted disciplinary actions are not uncommon. One colleague recalled a principal saying, “If y’all don’t want to work with me, transfer out.” Another shared that a principal once told them, “A politician gave you this job,” implying that custodial staff should be grateful and therefore tolerate disrespect. These statements reveal the deep power imbalances and the culture of intimidation that permeates many workplaces.
Systemic issues like these are compounded by limited opportunities for advancement. The few paths for professional growth are often tied to education or formal qualifications, which many custodial staff may not yet have had the chance to complete due to improper or incomplete secondary education. This creates a cycle in which workers remain in subordinate positions, reinforcing perceptions of inferiority and limiting the ability to advocate for fair treatment.
From my experience, the problem is not the work itself—it is how the system is structured, who it empowers, and who it ignores. The hierarchy, the lack of advocacy, and the cultural undervaluing of custodial work together produce a workplace environment that is often toxic, demoralizing, and inequitable. In many ways, these workplace dynamics are a modern echo of caste-like structures: rigid hierarchies that dictate how people are treated based on their role, background, or perceived status rather than their capabilities or integrity.
My hope in sharing these observations is to illuminate what many custodial and janitorial staff face daily. The labor may be invisible, but the structural inequalities are real. Addressing these issues requires systemic change, including representation for custodial staff, fair channels for grievances, and recognition that dignity in work should not be a privilege reserved for those higher in the hierarchy.
Every worker deserves respect, advocacy, and the opportunity to advance, regardless of title or educational background. Until these systems are reexamined, custodial staff will continue to bear the brunt of inequities that are entirely preventable.
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