Labour in the Informal Sector Scavengers

By

Jaranya WongpromResearch and Development Institute of

Khon Kaen UniversityThailand

Nakorn KhonKaen is one of the big cities in the Northeast of Thailand.

Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by JaranyaWongprom

The Union of Myanmar

Laos PDR

Gulf of Thailand

Andaman Sea

KhonKhon KaenKaen

The city has rapidly grown

Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by JaranyaWongprom

This growth has not only created air, water and soil pollutions but also a substantial increase in solid waste

Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by JaranyaWongprom

The Khon Kaen Municipality effectively manages the city garbage collecting system.

Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by JaranyaWongprom

The only landfill site of the Municipality is located at Ban KhamBon of NonThonSub-district, 10 km. far from the City.

Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by JaranyaWongprom

The landfill site has become a significant source of income for over 60 households of scavengers, who built their houses in the area.

Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by JaranyaWongprom

Their task is to searchfor recycling materialsthey can sell.

Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by JaranyaWongprom

Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by JaranyaWongprom

Once the Municipalitygarbages truck comes to the landfill, they are readyto start their work.

Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by JaranyaWongprom

They try to search for recycling material even before the truck has

unloaded the garbage.

Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by JaranyaWongprom

Scavengers have been faced with various challenges:occupational healthand safety, low income and social security.

As far as the health risks and working conditions are concerned, there are various points to address: 1) lack of good and safe

shelters

Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by JaranyaWongprom

2) lack of personal protective equipments(PPE).

Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by JaranyaWongprom

Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by JaranyaWongprom

3) lack of knowledge to protect themselves.

A plan of action to address the challenges facing the scavengers has been submitted by the Informal Labour Planning Section of the Office of the ThaiHealth Promotion Foundation.

If approved, this plan will substantially contribute to the quality of life and health condition of the scavengers.

The plan is expected to be implemented in 2009

Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by JaranyaWongprom

The HIA, implementationincluding aimed to:1) How to know

them- Used Qualitative and

Quantitative

They prioritized income higher than health impact.

Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by JaranyaWongprom

- to create several different groups: for example for men, woman, children and elderly people.

Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by JaranyaWongprom

2)How to work with them

- Creating awarenessabout the dangers of working at a dumpingsite - Seeking foralternative occupation- Brainstorming meeting

Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by JaranyaWongprom

3) What are we going on

- Building awareness and safety behavior - Self care development by training, study

tour - Collaborative operations with concerned

provincial and local government organization

- Advocating for continuing financial support by local government organization

We regard that scavengers as avulnerable group in Thai society, who contribute significantly to the well being of our society : They help reduce the amount of waste, while their being are at risk. In return, the society should take care of the scavengers and help them to increase their quality of life.

Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by JaranyaWongprom

In Conclusion:

Thank you

Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by JaranyaWongprom

Thank you