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Part-I
CHAPTER I
THE INFORMAL SECTOR IN INDIA
1.1 INTRODUCTION
India is fast urbanizing, with approximately 50% of its population projected
to live in urban conglomerations by 2030. If current trends are any
indication, then it is likely that a significant number of these people will
continue to work in the informal sector.
The life of the informal sector workers, particularly women, is filled withhardships and difficulties due to various reasons, especially in a country
like India where there is little social security for the informal sector workers.
This work is an attempt to look into the difficulties faced by the Waste
Collectors and Scrap Traders of informal sector workers and also to explore
the changes that happen in the lives of such workers through trade unions,
non-governmental organisations and other similar social movements. Kahija
a non-governmental organisation, is considered as a successful case studyin this work.
1.2 THE INFORMAL ECONOMY
The term ―informal economy‖ is a new one. Earlier, ―informal sector‖ or
―unorganised sector‖ was the term used to represent the workers who do not
have any protection of the labour laws. But, later research scholars from
various countries and International Labour Organisation (ILO) agreed to the
fact that the informal sector also contributes to the economy of a country.
Moreover, there is a strong relationship between the formal sector and
informal sector. Most of the works of the formal sector are outsourced to the
informal sector. Formal sector by itself find it difficult to survive as they are
more profit-oriented. They are able to find cheap labour in the informal
sector. So an overlapping of the work is visible. There is no argument on the
fact that the informal sector contributes to the progress of the country. So
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the appropriate term for this sector has been accepted world wide as
―Informal Economy‖. Informal economy is very vast and diverse in its nature.
There are three dominant schools of thought about the informal economy.
The dualist school, popularised by the ILO in the 1970s, considers informalsector as distinct and not related to the formal sector. According to this
school of thought, informal economy provides income for the poor at the
time of crisis. The structuralist school was popularised by Caroline Moser
and Alejandro Portes in the late 1970s and 1980s. This school establishes a
connection between the formal sector and the informal sector. Also informal
sector increases the competitiveness among large firms by reducing labour
and input costs. The legalist school was popularised by Hernando de Soto in1980s and 1990s. According to this school, the informal sector consists of
micro-entrepreneurs who choose to operate informally to avoid the costs,
time and effort of formal registration.
The workers who come under informal economy can be broadly classified as,
Employer:
a) Owners of informal enterprises
b) Owner operators of informal enterprises
Self-Employed:
a) Own-account workers
b) Heads of family businesses
c) Unpaid family workers
Wage Workers:
a) Employees of Informal Enterprises
b) Casual Workers without a Fixed Employer
c) Home-Based Workers
d) Domestic Workers
e) Temporary and Part-Time Workers
f) Unregistered Workers
There are various definitions for the informal sector in India. According to
the Central Statistical Organisation, all unincorporated enterprises and
household industries (other than organized ones) which are not regulated by
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law and which do not maintain annual accounts or balance sheet constitute
the unorganised sector . The Directorate General of Employment and Training
(DGET) defines the organized sector as comprising all establishments in the
private sector, which employ 10 or more persons. By implication of this definition, informal sector is comprised of enterprises
with less than 10 employees. These are not a) organised systematically, b)
made formal through mandatory registration or license, c) covered by
legislation to protect minimum labour standards in employment and
(development) unionized .
1.3 INFORMAL SECTOR- INDIAN PERSPECTIVE
Informal sector in India is broadly characterized as consisting of units
engaged in the production of goods and services with the primary objectives
of generating employment and incomes to the persons concern. These units
typically operate at low level of organisation, with little or no division
between labour and capital as factors of production and on a small scale.
Labour relations, where they exist, are based mostly on casual employment,
kinship or personal or social relations rather than contractual arrangements
with formal guarantees. Thus, production units in informal sector are not
constituted as separate legal entities independently of the household or
house hold members that own them and for which no complete sets of
accounts are available which would permit a clear distinction of the
production activities of the enterprises from the other activities of their
owners. The owners of their production units have to raise the finance at
their own risk and are personally liable, without limit, for any debts or
obligations incurred in the production process. Expenditure for production
is often indistinguishable from household expenditure. For statistical
purpose, the informal sector is regarded as a group of production units,
which form part of the household sector as household enterprises or
equivalently, unincorporated enterprises owned by households.
In India, the term informal sector has not been used in the official statistics
or in the National Accounts Statistics (NAS). The terms used in the Indian
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NAS are ‗organised‘ and ‗unorganised‘ sectors. The organised sector
comprises enterprises for which the statistics are available from the budget
documents or reports etc. On the other hand the unorganised sector refers
to those enterprises whose activities or collection of data is not regulatedunder any legal provision or do not maintain any regular accounts. In the
unorganised sector, in addition to the unincorporated proprieties or
partnership enterprises or partnership enterprises, enterprises run by
cooperative societies, trust, private and limited companies are also covered.
The informal sector can therefore, be considered as a sub-set of the
unorganised sector.
1.4 MAGNITUDE OF WORKFORCE ENGAGED IN THE
UNORGANISED/INFORMAL SECTOR.
The National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) carried out a sample
survey in 1999-2000 and its results showed that out of total workforce of
397 million, only 28 million workers are employed in the organised sector
and remaining in the unorganised sector. It reveals that over a decade, the
employment in the organised sector has been almost stagnant or slightly
declined.
In the light of definition of informal sector encompassing private
unincorporated enterprises as mentioned above, NSS 55th
round, 1999-2000
also covered non-agricultural enterprises in the informal sector in India. As
per survey, there were 44.35 million enterprises and 79.71 million workers
employed thereof in the non-agricultural informal sector of the economy.
Among these 25.01 million enterprises employing 39.74 million workers
were in rural areas whereas 19.34 million enterprises with 39.97 million
workers in the urban area. Among the workers engaged in the informal
sector, 70.21 million are full time and 9.5 million part times. Percentage of
female workers to the total workers is 20.2 percent.
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1.5 RELEVANCY OF THE INFORMAL SECTOR IN
INDIAN CONTEXT.
Broadly, the informal sector provides income-earning opportunities for a
larger number of workers. In India, there is large magnitude of workforce
getting their livelihood from the informal sector. The enactment of
legislations and other measures to bring them under the regulatory and
social protection instruments will adversely affect the existing mechanism
prevailing in the informal sector as it would lead to market imperfections
creating hurdles in the smooth functioning of the market led economy.
Besides, it requires huge infrastructural and institutional arrangements
involving financial implications beyond the capacity of the Government in
the changing scenario all over the world. The Government has to play a role
of facilitator and promoter so that the workers employed in the informal
sector are able to get requisite level of protection and security to have decent
work environment enabling them to express their skills fully and according
to their capabilities necessary for enhancing the competitiveness of their
outputs and thereby raising their income and socio-economic status.
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1.6 IMPORTANCE OF INFORMAL SECTOR IN INDIAN
ECONOMY.
About 370 million workers constituting 92% of the total workforce in a
country were employed in the unorganized sector as per NSS Survey 1999-
2000. It plays a vital role in terms of providing employment opportunity to
large segment of the working force in the country and contributes to the
national product significantly. The contribution of the unorganised sector to
the net domestic product and its share in the total NDP at current prices
has been over 60%. In the matter of savings the share of household sector in
the total gross domestic saving mainly unorganised sector is about three
fourth.
Thus unorganised sector has a crucial role in our economy in terms of
employment and its contribution to the National Domestic Product, savings
and capital formation. At present Indian Economy is passing through a
process of economic reforms and liberalization. During the process, merger,
integration of various firms within the industry and up gradation of
technology and other innovative measures take place to enhance
competitiveness of the output both in terms of cost and qualitative to
compete in the international market. The low inefficient units either wither
away or merge with other ones performing better. In this situation, there is a
special need to take care of the interests of the workers by providing them
training, upgrading their skills, and other measures to enable them to find
new avenue of employment, improve their productivity in the existing
employment, necessary to enhance the competitiveness of their product
both in terms of quality and cost which would also help in improving their
income and thereby raising their socio economic status. It has been
experienced that formal sector could not provide adequate opportunities to
accommodate the workforce in the country and informal sector has been
providing employment for their subsistence and survival. Keeping in view
the existing economic scenario, the unorganised sector will expand further
in the years to come. Thus, it needs to be strengthened and activated so that
it could act as a vehicle of employment provider and social development.
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PART-I
CHAPTER II
WASTE PICKERS AND SCRAP COLLECTORS
BELONGING TO INFORMAL SECTOR
2.1 RECYCLING INDUSTRY IN INDIA
Waste pickers and scrap collectors render an important service to urban
society by removing the waste, thereby contributing to public health and
sanitation and environmental sustainability while providing a cheap source
of raw materials to industry. Although no reliable data regarding the
number of people engaged in the trade and the total income generated is
available, about 1-2 percent of the world‘s urban population sustain their
livelihood by collecting and recycling paper, cardboard, plastic, and metal
waste.
VALUE CHAIN OF RECYCLING INDUSTRYIndia produces recyclable wastes worth Rs.20, 280 crore a year (The
Economic Times, 18 December 2007), of which only 40 percent is utilized by
the recycling industry. The recycling industry sources waste mainly from
waste traders and through imports.
WASTE FROM WASTE TRADERS
Waste disposed of by residential and non-residential units are collected by
traders/contractors directly or supplied by kabadiwalas and waste pickers.
Households usually dispose of two types of waste:
1. Priced waste (also called fresh waste): Households collect this waste and
sell them to kabadiwalas at the prevailing market rates (linked to the
international metal markets to an extent). This type of waste includes
newspapers, magazines, bottles, carton boxes and metals.
2. Unpriced waste: Unpriced wastes are those which households dispose
every day, such as wet waste, soiled/torn paper and plastics. Waste pickers
collect these wastes from houses, streets, neighbourhoods, industrial areas,
offices and dumping grounds.
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Priced, as well as unpriced, wastes are sorted and then sold to waste
traders/ processors. Processors then transport the stock to a small scrap
yard, where glass bottles and plastic bags are segregated by colour, and
metals by composition (brass, zinc, aluminium, copper, etc.), given theirdifferent prices.
Metal scraps are often sold to metal merchants locally, who sell the
segregated brass, copper and zinc scrap to handicraft manufacturers in
south and north India; aluminium scrap is often sold to the ‗secondary
industry‘. Steel and iron scrap is often re-melted by small foundries, and
newspapers are segregated by grade, colour, etc., and are sold to paper mills
for re-processing. Glass beverage bottles are often sold back to beveragecompanies for refilling and broken glass goes to bottle makers for making
new ones.
WASTE THROUGH IMPORTS
India imports scrap aluminium, copper, ferrous, plastics and paper and
pulp. The US leads the list of countries that export scrap steel, followed by
Germany, France, Sweden, Italy and Belgium. However, according to the
Department of Commerce, barring ferrous and paper waste, waste imports
fell in during 2008-2009.
Source: Department of Commerce, Government of India
The collapse of the recycling industry has reduced the demand for waste
and, in turn, their prices. China, one of the major importers of recycled
waste, has reduced its imports, which has forced major recycled waste
exporters to increase shipments to India. Indian traders imported more
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waste to take advantage of cheaper prices. According to the Ministry of
Commerce and Industry, waste paper imports increased 7.26 percent, while
price per ton.
2.2 INFORMAL RECYCLING SECTOR IN INDIARecycling in India is largely undertaken by a huge mass of workers involved
in the informal sector. This sector includes waste pickers, small kabaris
(small dealers in waste), thiawalas (collectors) and big kabaris (larger dealers
in waste). It has been seen that while the urban poor produce the least
amount of waste, they live in areas that have limited, or no waste handling
facilities, as well as inadequate service delivery. Additionally, waste is
generally dumped on the outskirts of the city where the poor also live.
Almost all of the recycling is achieved through the informal sector, which
comprises waste pickers, small buyers, a host of agents and finally, the
recyclers. Hence, while recycling is carried out by the poor and offers them a
livelihood, it is fraught with risk. The immediate burden of the toxic waste is
borne by them since there are no satisfactory systems or facilities in place,
which can handle waste generation.
Although waste pickers and scrap collectors constitute the backbone of the
waste collection process in Ahmedabad, small kabaris are among of the
most critical components in the chain. They buy the waste from waste
pickers and sell it to big kabaris who deal with specific items and materials.
The informal sector of recycling works like a pyramid. The first layer
comprises several hundred thousand men, women and children in urban
pockets who mine garbage heaps, landfills and bins for recyclable wastes
like plastics, paper and metals. Most waste pickers do not use any
implements, and often sift through heaps of garbage with their bare hands.
The recyclable wastes are put into large High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
sewn bags (that waste pickers make at home) and loaded onto cycles, cycle-
rickshaws or even on their backs. The waste that they collect is then
segregated near junk shops, in dhalaos , or local dumpsites. The second
layer is made up of the small middlemen, often poor themselves, who buy
waste from waste pickers. Their payments determine the earnings of waste
pickers. They, in turn, sell the waste to the third layer, comprising large
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buyers who own huge godowns and deal with only one material. Finally, at
the top, devouring all the labour and materials from below are the actual
recyclers themselves. Most of the city interacts with the first and the second
layers, whose labour actually propels recycling in India. Many of them workin groups based on family bonds, kinship and simply companionship borne
out of living in the same area. These bonds are critical for their working.
Since the sector is not formally recognized, the people involved in it do not
have access to social security, medical benefits or housing. Their work is
also considered illegal by the police, as the sector has not been officially
appointed for this task or is not employed by anyone.
Source: www.sewa.org
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2.3 THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INFORMAL SECTOR
IN SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA
Historically solid waste management in India has been the obligatory
responsibility of the municipal bodies or their equivalent, during the era
when there were no municipal bodies. In the municipal bodies across the
country, the conservancy staff that carried out solid waste collection and
transport activities was primarily from the Dalits and other socially excluded
communities. As also those who carried out any work related to garbage,
carcass handling and human excreta.
There is not much historical literature on the informal sector in solid waste
management in India. What does exist are snippets of information reported
in different studies that have been culled out of other studies. The socio-
economic survey of Pune done by Gadgils in 1937 mentions the presence of
Mahars who traded in used oil tins in the second hand goods market. There
are reported to have been waste paper collectors during the rule of the
Peshwas.
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2.4 THE STRUCTURE OF RECYCLING SECTOR
The recycling sector is structured in the form of a pyramid, with the waste-
pickers/scrap collectors at the base and the reprocessors perched at the
apex. The waste-pickers engage in the ―free‖ collection of scrap from
municipal garbage bins and dumps. Marginally above them are the itinerant
buyers who purchase small quantities of scrap from households. In
Ahmedabad, some traders also called Pastiwalas buy waste paper and
electronic waste, typically from commercial establishments. Such traders
work out of a fixed, open space where they sit and carry out their
operations. Between the scrap collectors and the re processors are various
levels of traders including retailers, stockiest and wholesalers, most of them
are registered under the Shops and Establishments Act.
STRUCTURE OF WASTE RECYCLING SECTOR
Source: Rising from the Waste, report by Committee for Asian Women
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2.5 CATEGORIES OF SCRAP COLLECTOR
Scrap collection is the first stage in the recycling sector. In India, it is
undertaken by two categories of workers, waste-pickers and itinerant
buyers. Waste-pickers retrieve paper, plastic, metal and glass scrap from
garbage bins or receptacles that are provided by the municipalities for the
disposal of garbage on the street, and from landfill sites where the collected
garbage is transported and dumped. Itinerant buyers purchase small
quantities of scrap from households, offices, shops and other small
commercial establishments. Further there are two types of itinerant buyers
differentiated on the basis of gender and their tools of trade. The women
itinerant buyers for example carry baskets on their heads while the men use
push carts to store the collected goods. All categories of scrap collectors
rudimentarily sort and then sell the collected scrap commodities to retail
scrap establishments by weight or unit.
According to World Bank, an estimated one percent of the urban population
in developing countries earns a living through waste collection and/or
recycling and significant number is women. The city of Ahmedabad accounts
for 40 percent of the urban poor and a significant number of them are
engaged in waste picking activity. There are around 40,000 waste pickers in
Ahmedabad, around 2400 tons of waste is disposed daily, of which 300 to
400 tons of waste is collected by the women waste pickers. Waste
collected/picked by them include: paper, plastic items, iron and steel, wood,
old cloth, glass bottles.
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2.6 CATEGORIES OF SCRAP TRADERS
The retail traders form the cutting edge level of the scrap trade. Most often
they are located in slums with significant populations of scrap collectors.
They have a direct relationship with the scrap collectors from whom they
purchase scrap. Stocking and segregation is the first level of wholesale
trade. Stockiest are always also retail traders. Then there are the wholesale
traders who specialise in certain commodities. Trade in commodities such
as grain, agricultural produce, cotton and textiles, steel and non-ferrous
metals, hardware and timber/wood is well established and markets exist for
all these commodities. This is not so in the case of scrap.18 Trade in scrap
is relatively invisible and unrecognised.
In Ahmedabad, there are no geographical areas designated as scrap
markets. The traders are not part of associations. The scrap trade is
generally believed to have a very low status within the hierarchy of
commodity trading, regardless of the profit potential. It has no
respectability. One of the reasons is that scrap is collected from garbage and
therefore considered ―dirty‖. The retail trade involves daily interaction with
people who are looked upon as ―low-caste, uncouth, foul mouthed, the scum
of society”. Nonetheless, the trade operates with the active support and
patronage of the political class.
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2.7 REPROCESSING
Processing and reprocessing industries that source scrap are usually in both
the informal and the formal economy. Plastics, electronic waste, are typically
in the informal sector while paper, cardboard, metals and glass are in the
formal sector. A wide variety of enterprises utilise scrap commodities as raw
material. In terms of size the range extends from small, registered
enterprises in the case of plastic bags to medium size labour intensive
small-scale industries for road scrap (waste paper) to the large modern
automated multinational factories.
2.8 CONCLUSION
In this chapter we have examined the dimensions of the informal sector in
general as well as with specific reference to the informal sector in waste. For
the purposes of this study, the term ―informal‖ refers to those who generally
make a living from solid waste but are not formally in charge of providing
the service i.e. having contracts with a municipality or being paid by it.
Therefore, normally a cooperative working under a contract with the
municipality should not be regarded as ―informal‖ whereas a co-operative
working without recognition of the official system is part of the informal
sector. However, within this study and due to the fact that in the past
various informal groups were transformed in formal ones, these groups
(cooperatives or enterprises of various kinds) have been covered within the
study.
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PART-I
CHAPTER III
THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK
3.1 INTRODUCTION
The recycling industry provides employment to a large number of workers.
Waste picking & Scrap collecting ranks lowest in the hierarchy of urban
informal occupations and a large number of those employed in this
occupation are women and children.Illiterate, unskilled persons, migrants, those lowest in the caste hierarchy
and the poorest of the poor are predominantly work as waste pickers, as
they are unable to find any other kind of employment. Currently, many of
them collect waste from landfills dotting urban spaces.
Efforts on in several parts of the country, notably Delhi, Pune, Ahmedabad,
to unionise the workers into cooperatives and simultaneously introduce a
system whereby waste pickers collect at source recyclable waste fromhouses, institutions, shops and establishments.
Estimates of the total number of waste pickers in the country are not easily
available. However, some estimates, city wise have been recorded in some
studies.
In Ahmedabad city alone there are an estimated 30,000 waste pickers – a
large proportion of them are women and children. In the state of Gujarat
overall there are estimated to be over 100,000 waste pickers.
Another study of Delhi estimates that the numbers of waste pickers in Delhi
alone would be approximately 100,000. The total population of waste
collectors in Pune is estimated to be 6,000, according to one study, 2 of
whom 72 per cent are women.
Generally, there is no employer-employee relationship in this trade even
though it is possible that some of the waste picking & Scrap Collecting
activity is organized by contractors. ‗ Waste pickers & Scrap Collectors are
considered to be self-employed having no legally tenable employer-employee
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relationship either with the municipalities or the with scrap traders. They
are not paid by the municipalities while with the waste traders the
relationship is a sale-purchase transaction, at most a patron-client
relationship built on years of dealing with the same scrap trader. No socialsecurity benefits are available to workers in this sector. However, with the
changing profile of the waste sector, particularly with the entry of e-waste
which has deposits of precious metal, the actors in the recycling industry
are fast evolving. Waste, now has recyclable material that is very valuable.
3.2 LEGISLATING FOR WASTE PICKERS
The Environment Protection Act, 1986 is the umbrella Act that pertains
to the management of solid waste in the country. Municipalities are required
by the respective municipal laws to handle and manage solid waste.
The Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules passed
in January 2000 under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 by the
Ministry of Environment and Forests of the Government of India, after
directions from the Supreme Court of India, mandated a comprehensive
policy for collecting, handling and managing solid waste.
The Rules direct the municipalities in 41 Class I municipalities to extend
their mandatory responsibility (collection from common points) and
undertake measures for door-step collection of waste and citizens education
for source segregation.
Although the Rules do not make specific mention of waste pickers, they are
explicit in offering a wide range of choices to the municipalities in the
systems that they may want to adopt depending upon local conditions.
Contracting out the system of doorstep garbage collection, partly or fully, to
both local and multinational operators is the most popular because there is
a strong lobby that believes that privatisation of garbage collection is
cheaper and more efficient. Frequently these measures displace waste-
pickers as the contracting party now has direct control over the waste and
its disposal.
The National Environment Policy, 2006 attempts to integrate the waste
pickers into the waste collection system when it states, ―Give legal
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recognition to, and strengthen the informal sector systems of collection and
recycling of various materials. In particular enhance their access to
institutional finance and relevant technologies‖ (Section 5.2.8) Part (iii)
Action Plan E) Rules have been enacted for specific categories of waste, theirmanagement and handling.
In 1998, the Biomedical Rules (Management and Handling) and the
Hazardous
Waste (Management and Handling) Rules have been notified by the
Government of India. These seek to regulate all institutions generating bio-
medical waste and industrial units generating hazardous waste respectively.In 1999, the Recycled Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules was enacted
which was subsequently amended in 2003.
The Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001 lays down
regulations for the handling of this hazardous waste.
In 2001 waste picking was included in the schedule of hazardous
occupations
Prohibited from employing children under the Child Labour (Prohibition
and regulation) Act, 1986 .
3.3 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA
The Constitution of India provides the overarching framework for solid waste
management as well as environment protection. Article 243 (W) of the
Constitution of India specifies the powers, authority and responsibility of the
Municipalities. The Article provides for the State government to empower
Municipalities to carry out the functions listed in the Twelfth Schedule of
the Constitution. The functions that are relevant to the informal sector in
solid waste management are Public health, sanitation conservancy and solid
waste management (No.6) Urban forestry, protection of the environment and
promotion of ecological aspects (No.8), Safeguarding the interests of weaker
sections of society (No.9)Urban poverty alleviation (No.11)
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Article 51(A) part 4A of the Indian Constitution has identified 'protection and
improvement' of the environment as fundamental duty of citizens. Hence,
the citizens must co-operate with the Urban Local Bodies to protect the
environment. After a series of petitions filed by individuals andorganizations, the Supreme Court rulings have included 'clean and green
environment' in Article 21 (Protection of Life and Personal Liberty) of the
Indian Constitution.
The present legislative framework is broadly contained in the Environment
Protection Act, 1986; the Water Prevention and Control of Pollution Act,
1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. The
Environment Protection Act of 1986 is the umbrella Act that pertains to themanagement of solid waste. Solid waste management including collection,
transport and disposal was required to be carried out by the Municipalities
under the respective Municipal Acts. There were no other rules and
regulations prescribed till the Hon. Supreme Court of India issued directives
to the Government regarding the framing of rules because citizens started
approaching the courts for relief in these matters.
In the year 2000, the Municipal Solid Waste (Collection and Handling) Rules
(henceforth referred to as MSW rules) under the above Act, came into effect.
The rules not only acknowledge the importance of waste segregation and
recycling, but also mandate that these must occur. They emphasize the
importance of technology, monitoring, and conformance to standards in
SWM. Recycling is described as the process of transforming segregated solid
wastes into raw materials for producing new products, which may or may
not be similar to original products. The legislation also allows for
incineration and pelletization with or without energy recovery to be labeled
as recycling. Despite the vital role of the informal sector in segregation and
recycling of solid waste, the legislation is conspicuously silent on any
mention of the informal sector.
The MSW Rules are not prescriptive but offer a range of non-hierarchical
options that individual municipalities can choose from. Given the complexity
of municipal decision making processes, the non-directiveness of the rules
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are both a boon and a bane. For example, the Rules urge segregation and
recycling but fail to expressly acknowledge that the informal sector actors
already undertake these activities in efficient and cost-effective ways. By
allowing the use of technologies such as incineration, the Rules unwittinglypromote the displacement of waste pickers and waste handlers in the
informal sector, since incinerators compete with these workers for waste of
high calorific value. Similarly, the emphasis on privatized door-to-door
collection of household garbage is a double-edged sword: on the one hand, it
provides a window of opportunity to waste pickers to become the private
actors who undertake door-to-door collection; on the other hand, it allows
for Municipalities to outsource this task to large corporate players, therebydisplacing the waste pickers and exacerbating urban poverty and inequity.
Ultimately, the Rules fail to connect Solid Waste Management policy to
existing good practices such as segregation and recycling by informal sector
actors.
Thereafter, the Government of India also brought out a slew of regulations21
on other types of waste such as plastics (particularly plastic bags) and
hazardous waste like batteries. Some of these related to the import of plastic
waste from other countries for processing in the recycling markets and
industries in India. There was growing recognition in policy circles that
informal sector actors were necessary to urban recycling, although it was
grudging and failed to address the informal sector’s own needs.
A Manual on Municipal Solid Waste Management, 2000 was prepared by an
Expert Committee constituted by the Ministry of Urban Development and
Poverty Alleviation, Government of India, after considerable deliberation.While not a policy directive, it is the first document of its kind and has been
extensively used by Urban Local Bodies across India. The manual focuses
on operational issues. It recommends recovery, sorting and recycling of
materials such as glass, paper and metal, for an economically and
environmentally sustainable waste management system. In Section 10.7.7
titled Collection of Duly Segregated Recyclable and Non Biodegradable Waste
from Households, it is specifically mentioned that waste pickers should beorganised; recognised through issue of identity cards; provided bags and
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tools and allotted the work of door to door collection of waste through NGOs.
The manual designates recycling as next only to waste reduction as a waste
management option.
National Environment Policy passed in 2006 contains clauses pertaining tothe informal sector that refer to: developing private-public partnerships on
payments by users, cleaning up pre-existing toxic/hazardous waste dumps,
strengthening capacities of local bodies for segregation recycling and giving
legal recognition to informal sector systems.
3.4 STATE LEGISLATION
Among the Indian states the Government of Maharashtra has been fairly
responsive to the inclusion of waste pickers. This has largely been on
account of the presence of mass organisation of waste pickers in Pune and
Mumbai and other cities. State government resolutions are important
decisions or government orders. Quite often they are executable instruments
that stem from laws and regulations. In 1999 the Maharashtra Government
issued an order to Municipalities directing them to issue identity cards to
waste pickers. This was followed by another order in 2002 directing
municipalities to allot the work of collecting waste from homes, shops and
market places to organisations and cooperatives of waste pickers and to
initiate such organisations where they did not exist.
The crisis caused by the Mumbai floods in 2005 spurred the Government of
Maharashtra into passing the Maharashtra Non-biodegradable Garbage
(Control) Ordinance, 200626 for regulating handling of non-biodegradable
waste. The Ordinance was converted into an Act soon after. (See Annexure
II.2 and II.3 for details) The first of its kind in India, this law relating to the
collection, handling and disposal of non-biodegradable waste is explicit in
setting out the responsibilities of various stakeholders including citizens. It
acknowledges the value of recycling and waste pickers. The Rules framed to
implement the Act provides for recycling sheds to be allotted to waste
pickers.
Pursuant to the Act the Government of Maharashtra issued Government
Order of 2006 framing an exhaustive Action Plan for the Implementation of
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the MSW Rules 2000 in municipalities. The plan favours not only integration
of the informal sector but also sets out comprehensive guidelines for
integrated solid waste management. Maharashtra State legislation is a
particularly forward-looking policy in terms of creating an enablingenvironment for informal sector waste recyclers. Whether, it has been
emulated by any other State till date, is not known.
3.5 MUNICIPAL LAWS
Municipalities in India are subject to the different municipal laws under
which they have been constituted. AMC had initiated & implemented a
concept of Public Private Partnership for collection of waste at point of its
generation (i.e. door to door waste collection). In Ahmedabad there are total
1381907 properties, 1286188 residential and 95719 commercial properties.
Among these 1198101 Residential properties, i.e. 93% and 44101
Commercial properties, i.e. 46% were covered under daily door to door waste
collection system. 1075 Resident Welfare Associations & NGOs were working
in this system.
3.6 LEGISLATION DIRECTLY RELATED TO WASTE
RECYCLERS LIVELIHOODS AND SOCIAL
SECURITY:
1. The Unorganized Sector Workers’ Bill. - Ministry of Labour
This seeks to enable the unorganized sector to access social security such as
pension, insurance etc. The Bill names waste pickers as one set of
recipients, but does not mention other informal sector recyclers. While the
Bill is still not passed, it has been found to be lacking in many ways. The
boards for the workers are a centralized board, instead of multiple boards
that can better handle a group of similar professions. The funds allocated
are inadequate for the sector and that even the welfare measures are not
clearly defined and could therefore amount to unsubstantial gains.
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2. The Swarna Jayanti Shahri Rojgar Yojna
Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation
This scheme offers a good fit to informal sector waste pickers and small waste dealers, as it seeks to empower communities, build community
networks and offer several benefits to self employed workers. It is applicable
to all urban towns in India and focuses on the urban poor, where it assists
in training and setting up of self-employment ventures.
3. Gujarat State Legislation: Here, a government order of 1982 turned over
the basket waste in government offices to waste pickers. The chief target
group was organized women waste pickers.4. Maharashta State Legislation: There has been some state wise
legislation on the issue as well. Of these, the order of the Government of
Maharashtra; Water Supply and Sanitation Department (Government
Circular No: Ghakavya 1001/ Pra. Kra 546/ Papu-22 Mantralaya Mumbai:
5 January, 2002) is perhaps the most impressive in its understanding of the
issue.
In brief, it states that:
The unorganized rag pickers (term used in order )
Collecting waste in different parts of the city should be organized with the
help of the non-government organizations and register a cooperative. The
local self government should take an initiative to get these cooperatives
registered. Registered rag pickers organization should be allotted the work of
collecting waste in the city parts/wards with the help of nongovernment
organizations.
While allotting work to these cooperatives to collect waste from various
places in the city, the citizens should be informed of this method. Also
discussions should be held with non-government organizations, eminent
citizens, Mahila Mandals and people‘s representatives.
Those rag pickers, who have not registered in the cooperative, can also be,
under exceptional circumstances, allowed to collect waste on an individual
basis after registering themselves.
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The civic authority should give preference to the cooperatives formed by
the rag pickers to collect dry waste.
If the city has a waste processing unit, the waste collected by the rag
pickers should be used for the same or the rag pickers should have thefreedom to sell it in the market. This will provide income to the rag pickers
and help improve their living standard.
Civic authorities / NGOs should issue identification cards to the
registered rag pickers. This will enable the citizens to know the registered
rag pickers.
The civic authority / NGO should allot a specific place, as per the
situation, and give the task to the registered rag pickers or theirorganizations to collect waste from 250-300 homes.
The task of collecting Bio-Medical waste and polluted/ toxic waste should
not be allotted to the rag pickers.
Civic authorities should make provision for collecting general waste and bio
medical waste separately and storing it and disposing it and monitor it
effectively.
3.7 CONCLUSION There is no clear policy for waste pickers or even efforts to legislate to
protect the rights of the waste pickers, in India. The right to waste and
access to waste, need to be envisaged in a holistic solid waste management
system that gives due recognition and protection to the waste picker. An
integrated waste management system, in which segregation at source
enables better management of waste and provides employment with better
working conditions to waste pickers, needs to be mandated by law for all
local bodies across the country.
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PART-II
Chapter-IV
RESEARCH ORGANISATION: KAHIJA
4.1 HISTORY
Just after celebrating the 63 years of India Independence, We could
understand the goals, which were set during the Independence such as
eradication of poverty, education to all, social and legal securities,
empowerment of women etc. In spite of India being a democratic country, itproves to be only in papers.
To sustain the democracy, government has taken steps through
liberalization, decentralization almost in all fields. These modern concepts
proved to be more appropriate even for none Governmental agencies. Due to
growing Population it is mere impossible for the government to address
every ones needs. Kahija came in to existence in order to support the goals
of the government.
Hence, to take part in fulfilling these virtues of eradicating Poverty,
education to all, securing people with social and legal assistance, KAHIJA
was born.
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4.2 OBJECTIVES
The objective of Kahija is to “live and let live", Main highlights of Kahija‘s
objectives are -
To share shoulders among the people living in the urban slums and
industrial areas.
To give them the platform and to create a definite lifestyle.
To make them aware specifically women about the rights, equality,
quality of life.
To make them aware of sentiments, values, morals, education,
technology, etc.
To make them aware about the diseases, causes, and its treatment
and drugs
4.3 VISION
Globalization through IT for UN Reached People & Mainstreaming of Women
and Children those who are deprived from the society through various
programs addressing issues of Health, Education, and social cultural
Development welfare
4.4 MISSION
To unable people to take responsibility for the situation of the deprived
women and children and so motivate them to comfort the situation through
collective action giving an opportunity to realize their full potential.
Empowerment of womenEradication illiteracy among women and children
Improvement in health issues of women and children.
Socio Economic and Cultural Development.
Information and Technology in rural area
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4.5 WELFARE ACTIVITIES OF KAHIJA
Child Welfare:-
Balwadi
Child Guidance Center
Bal Kalyan kendra
Women Welfare:-
Women's Legal -Aid Center
Awareness on Human Rights,
equality among women folks.
Women empowerment
Youth Welfare Activities:-
Educational Activities.
Social & Cultural
Activities.Sports & Adventurous
Activities.
Youth Inspiration Activities:-
Vocational Training.
Sewing Classes & Handicrafts.
Small Saving Scheme.
Senior Citizens --Day
Centers:-
Library.
Audio--Visual Facilities.
Adult Education and
Nonformula Education,
Centers for Welfare of
Physically Handicapped
and
Publication of
Periodicals.
Ongoing Projects:-
Street Child nonformula education
& Vocational training.
Partnership in Sexual Health
Project.
Women's Legal-Aid Center.
Senior Citizens'-Day Center.
Public Library.
Reproductive and Child Health
Project.
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4.6 TARGETED AREAS
Ahmedabad railway station (Kalupur, Maninagar, Sabarmathi, &
Vatva).S.T. Bus Stop.
Jamalpur Vegetable & flower Market
Observation home
Lal Darwaja
All the main temples
Vadaj — 500
132ft.ring road (Sardar Patel Market to Vejalpur, Vastrapur,Managers, Sabarmathi) 1000
Kalupur Vegetable market and wholesale market — 200
Sabarmathi to Gandhi Ashram (on the river belt) — 1000
Beggars home and Nari Surakshan Gruth
Naroda
Madhupura
Various slums of Ahmedabad
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4.7 STRATEGIES OF BEHAVIOR CHANGE
COMMUNICATION
KAHIJA communicates through following method to bring a strategic
change:
Focus group discussion.
One-to-one contacts.
Interpersonal communication.
Awareness through different IEC.
Outing camp.Indoors games.
Night shelter.
Street play, audio-video show, exhibition, puppet show.
Counseling for safer sex.
Self-Defense, self protection.
Street play training.
Counseling about other bad habits like drug addiction, tobacco
chewing, Pan Ghutaka, thinner solution.
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PART-II
Chapter-V
RESEARCH STUDY
5.1 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
Significant research has accumulated on the organization of the urban
informal sector in developing economies. Most of the studies focused on
income levels and living standards, aiming to identify the extent and the
mechanism of urban poverty in relation with rural-urban migration.
Little exploration has been made on the living conditions of waste
pickers and scrap collectors dwelling in urban slums of Ahmedabad.
The issue of Solid Waste Management (SWM) has been a widely debated
subject today and has acquired more prominence because of issues related
to unhealthy working conditions and low income.
This study attempts not only to investigate the income levels and living
standards of waste pickers and scrap collectors dwelling in urban slums
of Ahmedabad but also to measure their difficulties and role of ―KAHIJA‖
in supporting women working in these sectors.
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5.2 OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
According to World Bank, an estimated one percent of the urban population
in developing countries earns a living through waste collection and/or
recycling and significant number is women. The city of Ahmedabad accounts
for 40 percent of the urban poor and a significant number of them are
engaged in waste picking activity. There are around 40,000 waste pickers in
Ahmedabad. Around 2400 tons of waste is disposed daily, of which 300 to
400 tons of waste is collected by the women waste pickers. Waste
collected/picked by them include: paper, plastic items, iron and steel, wood,
old cloth, glass bottles. Hence waste pickers and scrap collectors become an
integral part of informal economy. To address their needs, the study has
been undertaken to achieve the following objectives:
1. To study the Socio-economic and demographic background of
the waste pickers and scrap collectors.
2. To find out various problems faced by women working in these
sectors.
3. To find out the contribution of the women waste picker/scrap
collector to the family income.
4. To analyzed the living and working condition of women waste
picker/scrap collector after getting employed.
5. To assess the nature of exploitation and extent of abuse.
6. To find out employer and employee relations.
7. To indentify the bad habits of the children.
8. To suggest measure to solve the problems of women waste
picker/scrap collector and their rehabilitation.
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5.3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
For this purpose I undertook a field research on the activities of residents
in the Shankarbhuvan slums of Ahmedabad, India, who make a living
through the collection of waste materials for use by recycling plants. One
group of them is called "pickers" who just pick up waste thrown away in
public places such as streets and parks. Another group is called
"collectors" who go around households, shops and restaurants to buy
waste. They constitute a bottom layer of the urban informal sector.
Pickers are the poorest of the poor being barely able to stake out
subsistence, whereas collectors are at the fringe of poverty. Yet, they are
making valuable contributions to society by converting unusable waste
into productive resources as well as cleaning the city. We attempt to
measure both their working and living conditions.
However for comprehending the conceptual framework, use of secondary
source has also been made use of extensively. For the purpose of exhaustive
understanding, both formal and informal methods were used. The data
gathered relied primarily on survey and observation method. An attempt was
made to record valid and reliable information the maximum possible extent.
This demanded number of visits to the work place of waste pickers and
scrap collectors and their homes.
Besides this, information was also collected through structured interviews;
some typical case studies have been done for in-depth analysis. This case
intends to provide a more comprehensive picture of the waste pickers and
scrap collectors.
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5.4 RESEARCH DESIGN
The design of the study is explorative in nature. Exploratory research is a
type of research conducted for a problem that has not been clearly defined.Research helps determine the best research design by data collection
method and selection of subjects. It draws definitive conclusions. Research
also relies on secondary research such as reviewing of available literature
and data, qualitative approaches such as informal discussions with Waste
Pickers and Scrap Collectors of Shankar Bhuvan Slums of Ahmedabad and
more formal approaches through in-depth interviews, focus groups,
projective methods, case studies and pilot studies.
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5.5 SAMPLING DESIGN
At the stage of identification, I have identified nearly 422 women‘s working
as either as waste picker or scrap collectors (as per data collected from scrap
traders) in Shankarbhuvan slums of Ahmedabad. They can be broadly
classified as follows:
From nearly 422 women‘s working as either as waste picker or scrap
collectors, I have selected a sample of 50 women‘s for personal interactionand studied working and living conditions of these 50 working women‘s.
56%
4%
22%
18%
TYPES OF WASTE PICKERS AND SCRAP
COLLECTORS
DUMPSITE COLLECTORS
ITENERANT BUYER
SCRAP COLLECTOR
DOORSTEP COLLECTOR
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5.6 RESEARCH AREA
Slum dwellers constitute a marginalized group in most societies. They do
not have what society considers appropriate relationships with major
institutions of livelihood such as family, education and health. The
continuous exposure to harsh environments and the nature of their
lifestyles make them vulnerable to substance use and this threatens their
mental, physical, social and spiritual wellbeing.
In many regions most of these women use tobacco and other addictive
substances. In addition, these women are confronted with discrimination
and view health and social services with suspicion. Slum dweller live a
transitory life style and are vulnerable to inadequate nutrition, physical
injuries, substance use, and health problems including sexual and
reproductive health problems.
Government has planned to build mega city by destroying most of the slum
houses found in Shankarbhuvan area. The problem has worsened across
the area in recent years because of economic problems, migration issues,
increasing family separations and conflicts.
Still with immense hope and against all odds women waste pickers and
scrap collectors of Shankarbhuvan slum work hard to join the dots and
improve their living conditions.
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5.7 PILOT STUDY
A pilot scale field survey was conducted with the following objectives:
To get familiar with field work coordinator of KAHIJA working at
Shankar Bhuvan Slum of Ahmedabad
To identify Waste Pickers and Scrap Collectors from Shankar
Bhuvan Slum of Ahmedabad
To estimate the time and effort required for finding respondents
who would agree to answer our questionnaires
To classify Waste Pickers and Scrap Collectors into various
categories
Interacting with them to know their working & living conditions.
To interact with the family members of Waste Pickers and Scrap
Collectors identified.
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5.8 LIMITATIONS OF STUDY
The analysis of the research reported here covers only a part of
geographical area i.e. Shankar bhuvan slums of Ahmedabad.
The findings represented here are of small sample size comprising of
50 women waste pickers and scrap collectors.
There might be deviation in actual data and findings done here due
to small sample size.
At times, there was no enough time to interview respondent as the
interviews were at the peak hours of business, there were restrictions
on the time they spent with me.
Majority of the women waste pickers and scrap collectors surveyed
were associated with Kahija and I was accompanied by Kahija field
work assistant, so there are chances of data being biased.
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5.9 ANALYSIS OF SURVEY ON WORKING AND LIVING
CONDITIONS OF WASTE PICKERS AND SCRAP
COLLECTORS
(a) PERSONAL PROFILE
1. AGE IDENTIFICATION
Feedback:
Age NUMBER OF WOMEN WORKERS
Less than 14 5
14-20 4
20-30 1130-40 21
40-50 4
50 and above 5
Analysis:
About 42% respondents were in the 30-40 years age group. Since waste
collection/ Scrap Collection does not require any skill, initial capital and
physical strength (except for the ability to walk and collect waste), 10%
respondents were aged 50 years and above. Further, it was observed that
waste picking/ Scrap Collecting as a form of employment was not preferred
by young women, as only 18% of the selected women were below 20 years.
10% 8%
22%
42%
8% 10%
AGE GROUP OF WORKING WOMEN
Less than 14 14-20 20-30 30-40 40-50 50 and above
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2. No. of Family Members
Feedback:
NUMBER OF MEMBERS IN FAMILY NUMBER OF WOMEN WORKERS
Up TO 3 23 TO 5 10
5 TO 7 16
7 AND ABOVE 22
Analysis:
About 44% of the surveyed women were living in a family consisting of more
than 7 family members, 32 percent in a family structure of 5 to 7 persons
and the remaining 24 percent were living in a family with less than 5 family
members.
4%
20%
32%
44%
NUMBER OF MEMBERS IN FAMILY
Up TO 3 3 TO 5 5 TO 7 7 AND ABOVE
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3. BREAD EARNERS OF FAMILY
Feedback:
TOTAL EARNING MEMBERS IN FAMILY
ONLY 1 112 TO 3 35
MORE THAN 3 4
Analysis:
Nearly 70% of women surveyed had 2 to 3 earning members in the family
while in 22% of cases women waste pickers / scrap collectors were the
only bread winners of the family i.e. they have higher responsibilities of
running their family. Nearly 8% of the women workers responded that
they have more than 3 earning members per family.
22%
70%
8%
TOTAL EARNING MEMBERS IN FAMILY
Only 1 2 TO 3 MORE THAN 3
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4. MARITAL STATUS
Feedback:
MARITAL STATUS NUMBER OF WOMEN WORKERS
Married 38Unmarried 3
Divorced 1
Widow 9
Analysis:
Nearly 70% of the surveyed women waste pickers and scrap collectors were
married and living with their husbands and children while 6% of surveyed
women were unmarried and noticeably 18% of them was widow. 2% of these
women also comprised of divorced women‘s.
74%
6%
2% 18%
MARITAL STATUS
Married Unmarried Divorced Widow
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5. EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION
Feedback:
QUALIFICATION NUMBER OF WOMEN WORKERS
ILLITERATE 48
PRIMARY 2
SECONDARY 0
HIGHER SECONDARY 0
COLLEGE LEVEL 0
Analysis:
The low skill requirements for waste pickers and collectors are reflected in
their low levels of education. Nearly 96% of pickers were illiterate. Only %
of women workers has received education beyond primary grade.
0
10
20
30
40
50
48
2 0 0 0
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION
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(b) LIVING CONDITIONS
1. Type of House
Feedback:
TYPE OF HOUSE NUMBER OF WOMEN WORKERS
KUCCHA 48
PUKKA 1
STREET DWELLWERS 0
Analysis:
About 98% of the women workers were living in Kuccha house, while the
rest 4% in Pukka Houses. It was also observed that many few of them were
living in rented premises and paid an average monthly rent of Rs. 350.
98%
2%
TYPES OF HOUSE
Kuccha Pukka Street Dwellwers
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2. COMPLIANTS REGARDING BASIC
AMENITIES
Feedback:
BASIC AMENITIES SUFFERERS
WATER 41
DRAINAGE 44
SANITATION 44
ELECTRICITY 11
Analysis:
Respondents complained regarding lack of basic amenities like Water
connection, Drainage, Sanitation, Electricity supply etc. Nearly 44
respondents have built bathrooms in their houses but due lack of proper
drainage connections by government they are not able to use those
bathrooms. Not able to use washrooms and lack of public washrooms 44
respondents use banks of Sabarmati river for their sanitation purposes.
41
44
44
11
LACK OF BASIC AMENITIES
Water Drainage Sanitation Electricity
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3. ADDICTION
Feedback:
ADDICTION NUMBER OF WOMEN WORKERS
EATING TOBACO 36
SMOKING 0
DRINKING 0
Analysis:
Nearly 36 women workers comprising of 72% of surveyed population were
addicted to Indian version of tobacco ―Chikni” and the rest 28% of the
women workers were not addicted to any particular thing. Heavy addiction
to Alcohol, Drugs and Cigarettes was not observed amongst the surveyed
waste pickers and scrap collectors.
72%
0%
0%
28%
Addiction
EATING TOBACO SMOKING DRINKING No addiction
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(c) WORK STRUCTURE ,WAGES & EXPENSES
1. WORKING HOURS
Feedback:
WORKING HOURS NUMBER OF WOMEN WORKERS
LESSTHAN 3 19
3 TO 5 20
5 TO 7 6
MORE THAN 7 5
Analysis:
Women waste pickers and Scrap collectors don‘t work according to any fixed
working hour schedule. They majorly work during the hours when their
children go to school or there is someone at home to take care of their
children. Majority i.e. 40% of women workers work between 3 to 5 hours a
day while nearly 22% of women workers work more than 5 hours a day.
Significant ratio of workers i.e. 38% of them are able to work for less than 3
hours.
38%
40%
12%10%
WORKING HOURS
LESSTHAN 3 3 TO 5 5 TO 7 MORE THAN 7
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2. TYPES OF WAGES
Feedback:
TYPES OF WAGES NUMBER OF WOMEN WORKER
DAILY 42
WEEKLY 5
MONTHLY 3
Analysis:
Only 6% of women waste pickers and scrap collectors receive wages on a
monthly basis while significant percentage i.e. 84% of women workers get
wages on daily basis. 10% of workers collect their wages weekly. Registers
are maintained at scrap collectors shop for the same purpose.
84%
10%6%
TYPES OF WAGES
DAILY WEEKLY MONTHLY
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3. EARNINGS PER DAY
Feedback:
MONEY EARNED PER DAY NUMBER OF WOMEN WORKER
30-60 36
60-100 12
100-200 2
Analysis:
A large strata of sample surveyed i.e. 72% of women waste pickers and
scrap collectors receives wages as low as 30-67Rs. per day which is much
lesser than minimum wage determined by government. Only 4% of the
surveyed receives daily wages between 100 & 200 Rs. per day. Remaining
24% of women workers receive wages somewhere between 60 to hundred Rs.
72%
24%
4%
MONEY EARNED PER DAY
30-60 60-100 100-200
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4. MONTHLY MEDICAL EXPENSES
Feedback:
MONTHLY MEDICAL EXPENCE NUMBER OF WOMEN WORKER
LESS THAN 100 RS 11
200-300 26
300-400 4
400-500 3
ABOVE 500 6
Analysis:
Due to unhealthy working environment, Lack of education and knowledge
about safety and cleanliness workers suffer from ailing health conditions
which results in to regular monthly expenses. Same is the case with women
waste pickers and Scrap Collectors dwelling in Shahpur Slums of
Ahmedabad. Nearly 52% of the surveyed women had minimum 200-300 Rs
of medical expenses per month. A significant ratio i.e. 12% of women
workers spent more than 500 Rs on medical treatments and other
medicines.
22%
52%
8%
6%12%
MONTHLY MEDICAL EXPENCE
LESS THAN 100 RS 200-300 300-400 400-500 ABOVE 500
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5. SAVINGS FROM MONEY EARNED
Feedback:
SAVINGS FROM MONEY EARNED
YES 10
NO 40
Analysis:
Low income, medical expenses and large family size made it impossible for
women waste pickers and scrap collectors save any money from their
income. Majority of women workers i.e. 80% of them were not able to save
any money from their income. 20% of surveyed women workers managed to
save money from their income.
20%
80%
SAVINGS FROM MONEY EARNED
YES NO
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6. TYPES OF SAVINGS
Feedback:
TYPES OF SAVINGS NUMBER OF WOMEN WORKERSNO SAVING 10
KAHIJA SHG 7
SEWA BANK 3
Analysis:
Out of 20% women waste pickers and Scrap Collectors who are able to save
money 14% deposit 50 Rs. Monthly in Kahija Self Help Group and 6%
women workers deposit 10 Rs. Daily to SEWA bank.
14% 6%
80%
TYPES OF SAVINGS
KAHIJA SHG SEWA NO SAVINGS
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7. DEBT PER HEADFeedback:
DEBT NUMBER OF WOMEN WORKERS
1000-5000 55000-10000 10
10000-20000 20
20000-50000 2
ABOVE 50000 13
Analysis:
Most of the women waste pickers and scrap collectors had taken loans from
relatives or friends, followed by loans from local moneylenders. Majority of
loans were taken to meet expenses for special occasions, like wedding, baby
shower etc. Health issues also lead the women workers to take informal
loans with heavy interest rates. These kinds of problems lead the women
workers to enter a never ending debt cycles. Majority of women workers i.e.
40% of them have debt between10000-20000. Nearly 26% of women workers
have incurred debt more than 50000 Rs. 20% of women workers have nearly
5000 to 10000 Rs. of debt.
10%
20%
40%
4%
26%
DEBT PER HEAD
1000-5000 5000-10000 10000-20000 20000-50000 ABOVE 50000
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(d) PROBLEMS FACED BY THESE WOMEN WASTE
PICKERS AND SCRAP COLLECTORS
1. HEALTH PROBLEMS
Feedback:
HEALTH PROBLEMS NUMBER OF WOMEN WORKERS
RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS 10
SKIN PROBLEMS 22
TUBERCULOSIS 4
BACKPAIN 12
Analysis:
Nearly 46% of the women waste pickers and scrap collectors face problems
relating to skin. Back pain and other respiratory problems are other major
health problems caused by lifting heavy weight and working in filthy
environment respectively. Nearly 8% of women workers have mild effect of
Tuberculosis.
21%
46%
8%
25%
HEALTH PROBLEMS
RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS SKIN PROBLEMS TUBERCULOSIS BACKPAIN
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2. PROBLEMS OF WOMEN WORKERS AT WORK
Feedback:
PROBLEMS OF WOMEN WORKERS
AT WORK
NUMBER OF WOMENWORKERS
HEALTH RISKS 5
LOW INCOME PER DAY 29
NO I CARD 3
NO FIX INCOME 7
NO VEHICLES TO CARRY GOODS/WASTE 6
Analysis:
Women Waste Pickers and Scrap collectors face major problem with the
wages as observed earlier their wages are way lower than minimum wages.
Also no fix income i.e. income security is also a constant problem faced by
surveyed women workers. They also face problems in lifting loads of waste/
scrap hence nearly 12% of workers complained of not having vehicles.
Problems‘ regarding identity issue is major problem faced b y nearly 6% of
women workers.
10%
58%
6%
14%
12%
PROBLEMS AT WORK
HEALTH RISKS
LOW INCOME PER DAY
NO I CARD
NO FIX INCOME
NO VEHICLES TO CARRY
GOODS/WASTE
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3. OTHER PROBLEMSFeedback:
OTHER PROBLEMS NUMBER OF WOMEN
WORKERS HARASSMENT OF SECURITY GUARDS 15
PROBLEMS DUE TO DOGS 8
FEAR OF BEING ACCUSED AS THIEVES 11
HARASSMENT OF POLICEOFFICIALS/MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS
6
NO CHILD CARE CENTRE TO TAKECARE OF THEIR CHILDREN
10
Analysis:
Majority of women waste pickers/ scrap collectors face harassment of security
guard as they don‘t allow them to enter residential/commercial premises.
Significant strata of women i.e. 22% of the surveyed women fear being accused
as thieves, majorly these women‘s are waste pickers who collect waste from
open bins, municipal or dump yards. As recyclable waste helps to create
income these waste pickers/ scrap collectors are often harassed by police
authorities/ municipal officials. They are concerned about their child‘s safety
and are not able to work for longer hours if their children are alone at home.Hence they expressed a severe need of child day care centre at subsidized rate.
30%
16%22%
12%
20%
OTHER PROBLEMS
HARASSEMENT OF SECURITY
GUARDS
PROBLEMS DUE TO DOGS
FEAR OF BEING ACCUSED AS
THIEVES
HARRASEMENT OF POLICE
OFFICIALS/MUNICIPAL
OFFICIALS
NO CHILD CARE CENTRE TO
TAKE CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN
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(e) SUPPORT OF THESE WOMEN WORKERS
1. BENEFITS OF ANY SCHEMES OF
GOVERNMENT
Feedback:
BENEFITS NUMBER OF WORKING WOMEN
APL CARD 10
BPL CARD 22
NO BENEFITS 18
Analysis:
According to Consumer Protection Act 1986 families having total annual
income above Rs.10,000/- per annum are given APL (Above Poverty Line)
Cards (white colour) and Families having total family income below
Rs.10,000 /-P.A have been identified under BPL (Below Poverty Line)
category. Identification is being done by DRDA for Rural Area and Municipal
Council for Urban Area. Out of total surveyed 50 women waste pickers and
Scrap Collectors nearly 20% of women workers were APL Card Holder while
36% of Women workers were BPL card holder they availed all the benefits of
government given through this card. Nearly 44% of Surveyed women
workers neither had APL card nor BPL Card.
20%
44%
36%
BENEFITS OF ANY SCHEMES OF GOVERNMENT
APL CARD BPL CARD NO BENEFITS
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2. ASSOCITION WITH NGOFeedback:
NGO NUMBER OF WORKING WOMEN
KAHIJA 38MANAV SADHNA 8
SEWA 4
OTHER 0
Analysis:
Nearly 76% of women waste pickers/ scrap collectors surveyed are
associated with KAHIJA and 16 of the surveyed women are also associated
with Manav Sadhna NGO. 8% of them are also members of Self Employed
Women‘s Association.
76%
16%
8%
0%
ASSOCIATION WITH ANY NGO
KAHIJA MANAV SADHNA SEWA OTHER
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3. YEARS OF ASSOCIATION WITH KAHIJAFeedback:
YEARS OF ASSOCIATION WITH KAHIJA NUMBER OF WOMEN
WORKERSLESS THAN 2 5
2 TO 4 7
5 TO 7 6
MORE THAN 7 20
Analysis:
Of the 38 surveyed waste picker/ Scrap Collector who are associated with
KAHIJA. Nearly 20 women i.e. 53% of them are associated with KAHIJA formore than 7 years now. 16% of the women workers are associated with
them from 5-7 years. 18% of the surveyed women are associated with them
from 2-4 years.
13%
18%
16%
53%
YEARS OF ASSOCIATION WITH KAHIJA
LESS THAN 2 2 TO 4 5 TO 7 MORE THAN 7
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4. SUPPORT FROM KAHIJAFeedback:
SUPPORT FROM KAHIJA NUMBER OF
WOMENWORKERS
LEGAL-AID 11
AWARENESS PROGRAMS FOR WOMEN – EMPOWERMENT
22
COUPLE COUNSELING 4
CHILD HEALTH ISSUES 33
PREGNANCY HELP 8
DROP-IN-CENTERS OF THEIR CHILDREN 12
BALWADI FOR THEIR CHILDREN 33
Analysis:
KAHIJA closely work in slums of Ahmedabad to share their shoulders
among the people living in the urban slums and industrial areas and tomake women aware about the rights, equality, and quality of life. Surveyed
women obtain a significant amount of help from KAHIJA. Nearly 33 women
take benefit of KAHIJA‘s child health counseling and take advantage of
Balwadi for their children for better education of their children. KAHIJA
constantly help in Couple Counseling, Pregnancy problems, nearly 12
women take advantage of these services. 22 women regularly attend women
empowerment programmes conducted by KAHIJA.
1122
4338
12
33
SUPPORT FROM KAHIJA
LEGAL-AID
AWARENESS PROGRAMS FOR
WOMEN – EMPOWERMENT
COUPLE COUNSELING
CHILD HEALTH ISSUES
PREGNANCY HELP
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5.10 DATA PROCESING
The Entire data collected were edited for consistency and
completeness. There was it was coded, processed, and tabulation with
a help of a computer. Frequency, percentage and measures of central
tendency were obtained further analysis and interpretation.
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PART-II
Chapter-VI
FINDINGS RECOMMENDATIONS &
CONCLUSION
6.1 KEY FINDINGS
Majority of respondents belonged to 30-40 years age group
Majority of the surveyed women were living in a family consisting of
more than 7 family membersIn 22% of cases women waste pickers / scrap collectors were the
only bread winners of the family i.e. they have higher responsibilities
of running their family.
Nearly 70% of the surveyed women waste pickers and scrap collectors
were married and living with their husbands and children
Nearly 96% of waste pickers and scrap collectors were illiterate
About 98% of the women workers were living in Kuccha house
Respondents complained regarding lack of basic amenities like Water
connection, Drainage, Sanitation, Electricity supply
72% of surveyed women workers were addicted to Indian version of
tobacco ―Chikni”
Women waste pickers and Scrap collectors don‘t work according to
any fixed working hour schedule
Majority of women workers work between 3 to 5 hours a day
84% of women workers get wages on daily basis
72% of women waste pickers and scrap collectors receive wages as low
as 30-67Rs.
Nearly 52% of the surveyed women had minimum 200-300 Rs of
medical expenses per month.
80% of surveyed women were not able to save any money from their
income.
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Out of 20% women waste pickers and Scrap Collectors who are able to
save money 14% deposit 50 Rs. Monthly in Kahija Self Help Group
and 6% women workers deposit 10 Rs. Daily to SEWA bank.
Majority of women workers i.e. 40% of them have debt between10000-20000.
Nearly 46% of the women waste pickers and scrap collectors face
problems relating to skin.
Major problems faced by women workers at work include low income
per day, no fix income, no proper vehicles and tools to carry waste, no
I cards
Harassment of security guard, Fear being accused as thieves,Harassment by police authorities/ municipal officials are other major
problems faced by respondents
Nearly 44% of Surveyed women workers neither had APL card nor BPL
Card
Nearly 76% of women waste pickers/ scrap collectors surveyed are
associated with KAHIJA
Nearly 20 women of them are associated with KAHIJA for more than 7
years now
KAHIJA constantly help in Couple Counseling, Pregnancy problems,
women empowerment, Child day care
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6.2 SUGGESTION & RECOMMENDATIONS
(a) SUGGESTION
1. SUGGESTATION TO VARIOUS GOVERNMENTBODIES:
Most waste pickers/ scrap collector sought alternative work and an increase
waste item prices, besides provision to meet expenses incurred on
healthcare and accidents, old-age pensions and funds for their children‘s
education. The following is a list of suggestions for the government to help
the women waste pickers/ scrap collectors:
Provision of social security (food, health, education, work and income),
and special Provision for elderly, widows and separated women
Provision of houses for those residing in rented premises
Increase in waste item prices
2. SUGGESTIONS FOR SCRAP TRADERS The following is a list of suggestions for scrap traders
Increase in waste item prices
Permanent work/job security
Provision of bonus
3. SUGGESTIONS FOR RESPECTIVE COMMUNITIES
Waste pickers/ scrap collectors are usually looked down upon by local
residents. This is a widespread perception among waste pickers, as many
urged fellow community members to respect them and their work. The
following is a list of suggestions for community members and fellow
residents
Kindly consider waste pickers and scrap collectors as integral part of
society and respect them for whatever they do.
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4. SUGGESTIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT
ORGANIZATIONS/NGOS
Most waste pickers sought alternative work to deal with ever rising
expenses. The following is a list of suggestions for NGOs:
Provision of work/employment/livelihood security
Assistance for increasing the total output of waste picking
Provision of training for enhancing income
Provision of loans to initiate alternative work/employment
(b) RECOMMENDATIONS
The following is a list of recommendations to ensure the social and livelihood
security of waste pickers and scrap collectors, which is based on the
findings of the study:
1. REGULATE PRICES OF COLLECTED WASTE
Usually, scrap traders pay waste pickers as per the amount she or he
receives for the same waste from the traders (after deducting expenses and
profit). Thus there is no fixed price for the waste collected by waste pickers,
as the prices of waste products fluctuate as per the market conditions.
This makes the income of waste pickers/ scrap collectors erratic. Thus in
order to regulate the income of waste pickers/scrap collector, It is
recommended that:
The government should declare minimum support prices for major
waste items collected by waste pickers/ scrap collectors. This will help
waste pickers demand the payment of regulated prices from scrap
traders, which, in turn, will prevent exploitation by scrap traders and
safeguard waste pickers from price fluctuations.
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2. INCREASE PRODUCTION CAPACITY OF WASTE
PICKERS
A strategy to increase the quantity and quality of waste collected should be
formulated to help waste pickers enhance their productivity.
1. Majority of waste pickers/ scrap collectors store some varieties of the
waste collected by them in their homes, and later on sell it in bulk to
bargain for better prices. However, as discussed in the study, storing the
items causes many health hazards as well as other problems. Thus, in order
to prevent this problem, the government should provide storage facilities in
every ward (the area where waste pickers/ scrap collectors live or near every
scrap trading shop. This will also encourage other waste pickers, who are
not storing any waste at present, to store some of their products to facilitate
better bargaining of prices later.
2. Unsorted waste fetches low prices than sorted waste. Many waste
pickers/ scrap collectors sort the waste before selling it to scrap traders to
earn more. However, due to lack of space (their houses are very small),
many of them end up selling the waste collected without sorting it. Also, the
sorting of waste materials in residential areas causes many health hazards
due to the toxic nature of many waste items. Thus, sorting sheds should be
set up near waste/dumping grounds and in every ward, which would help
waste pickers/scrap collectors increase their productivity.
3. Waste pickers/ scrap collectors collect waste from various areas of the
city, for which they have to travel to that area through any available local
transportation and then comb those areas for waste. As revealed by the
survey, waste pickers/ scrap collectors walk to collect waste. In order to
help them reduce their commuting expense, the government should
consider providing them a subsidy on travel in any mode of public transport.
Further, monetary help should also be provided to organizations associated
with waste pickers to enable them to purchase rickshaws and motorized
vehicles for transporting the collected waste to dumping grounds.
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3. ENSURE EMPLOYMENT
Waste pickers/ scrap collectors are usually illiterate and do not posses any
other skill. Market fluctuations and sometimes even government regulations
restrict or restrain them from pursuing their work, thus further shrinking
their below poverty level income. Actually, waste pickers/ scrap collectors
are doing the work of the municipal corporation in keeping the city clean.
But due to their poor economic and social status, they are not welcomed in
society. The government should take a holistic view of their economic as well
as social status, and accordingly formulate policies to facilitate their work
and ensure their income. It is suggested the implementation of the following
steps to ensure unimpeded income for waste pickers/ scrap collectors:
1. The municipal corporation floats tenders from interested persons or
organizations for door-to-door waste collection in its municipal limit. This
should be abolished, as tenders are usually grabbed by large traders. The
government should instead give work to unions/organizations associated
with waste pickers/ scrap collectors. The following criteria should be
followed by the Municipal Corporation before selecting the organization for
the work:
The organization should be registered under an Act of the Union of
India or
State Government
It should have been in existence for more than three years;
It should be directly working with waste pickers/ scrap collectors;
It should be able to produce audited accounts;
It should have a track record of solving the problems and issues faced
by waste pickers/ scrap collectors; and
The government should also direct the Municipal Corporation to provide the
necessary equipments to waste pickers to enable them to carry on their
door-to-door collection work.
2. The government should ensure that all the stationery required in the
government offices should be made by the waste pickers‘ organizations. This
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will promote decent livelihood as well as encourage alternative livelihood
options among waste pickers/ scrap collectors.
3. The government should pass a resolution to the effect that all the
categories of waste are given to organizations/unions of waste pickers free of cost.
4. Related training should also be provided to ensure proper functioning of
the cooperative/organization along with the proper linkages.
4. ACKNOWLEDGE WASTE PICKERS/SCRAP
COLLECTORS CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY
Women waste pickers play an important role in fighting climate change
through their efforts towards recovering recyclable materials from waste.
Women engaged in door-to-door waste collection segregate wet waste from
dry waste. Recycling helps the climate by way of reducing emissions through
incineration of waste. Women waste pickers support the idea of recycling
various items found in trash.
1. Identify and acknowledge the significant and dynamic role played by
waste pickers in arresting and mitigating the adverse effects of climate
change
2. Create and implement the use of technologies/systems that supports the
idea of three Rs — reuse, reduce and recycle — without affecting and
integrating the livelihoods of traditional waste pickers and scrap collectors
3. Currently, waste pickers are not allowed to pick waste from the sewage
farm, these wastes are recycled to produce methane gas. The central/state
governments should pass a resolution to save the livelihood of these
traditional waste pickers in Refuse derived fuel (RDF).
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5. PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF WASTE PICKERS
1. The coverage of Employees State Insurance (ESI) Corporation should be
broadened to include waste pickers and scrap collectors.
2. Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and the
National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) should be
extended to include waste pickers and scrap collectors in urban areas,
especially to provide employment during the lean periods. The projects
undertaken under JNRUM should be implemented in the participatory
process with the unions/associations of waste pickers and scrap collectors.
3. The following welfare schemes must be implemented:
Scholarship, uniform and books for the school-going children of waste
pickers and scrap collectors;
Maternity benefit along with nutritious food for mothers and children for
three months; remuneration of Rs. 2,500 per month should also be provided
for these three months;
Like the Bidi Welfare Board, the medical benefits should be provided to
waste pickers and scrap collectors, like the opening of dispensaries/mobile
dispensaries in the areas populated by waste pickers and scrap collectors.
4. A National Board for Waste Pickers should be constituted and
representatives of the stakeholders from the recycling industry should be
included.
5. Since waste pickers have to remain outside their homes for more than six
to eight hours a day, childcare centers should be opened in their areas to
take care of their children.
6. The survey revealed that most workers live in rented homes. This year the
central government has emphasized on housing the poor in the budget. In
urban areas, the cost of housing is very high. Therefore, the government
should provide subsidies to the tune of Rs. 250,000 to Rs. 300.000, and
down payment for waste pickers should be capped at Rs. 20,000. These
housing schemes should be implemented in the participatory process with
the unions/associations of waste pickers and scrap collectors. This housing
scheme should be implemented through the state level labour department.
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For this, the funds should also be disbursed through the state level labour
department.
8. Currently, waste pickers are exposed to a lot of occupational health
hazards, as they use traditional and obsolete tools. The central/stategovernments should allocate funds to the unions/association of waste
pickers to design, produce and distribute the tools according to their needs.
6. DEVELOPING A FORUM TO RESOLVE ISSUES
Waste pickers and scrap collectors fall in the lowest strata of the economic
and social structure of the society. The government should help develop a
forum, wherein issues concerning them can be raised and resolved. The
government should ensure that union/ association having the largest
membership should be involved in the process of decision making. The
following measures can be taken:
1. A national policy for waste pickers and scrap collectors should be drafted
and implemented at both the central and state levels with immediate effect,
and funds should be allocated the budget.
2. There should be representatives of waste pickers and scrap collectors in
all the urban local bodies to highlight their issues.
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6.3 CONCLUSION
In the city of Ahmedabad, around 2400 tons of waste is disposed daily,
of which 300 to 400 tons of waste is collected by the women waste
pickers and scrap collectors. Waste collected/picked by them include:
paper, plastic items, iron and steel, wood, old cloth, glass bottles.
The study suggests that combination of factors work together for ill
conditions of women waste pickers and scrap collectors. The factors
identified through the analysis were Lack of education, Lack of identity,
Large families, Low and Unsteady income, Heavy debts, Occupational
Hazards and Health problems leading to heavy medical expenses, Lack
of awareness about various government schemes, Unhealthy living
conditions, lack of basic amenities at home, undue harassment by
various officials and low respect in society.
The policies of government are such that it becomes very difficult for
traditional waste pickers to sustain their only source of livelihood.
These waste pickers help the urban local bodies in keeping the city and
environment clean; hence the roles of these poor, downtrodden,
informal sector silent environments friends should be recognized and
given identity cards by the urban local bodies.
High powered committee should be appointed to frame a policy and
mandatory rules for preserving and enhancing employment of waste
pickers and scrap collectors all over India and city level by integrating
them into city and solid waste management policies.
All urban developmental projects should ensure and enhance the
livelihood of these traditional waste pickers and scrap collectors.
The results suggest that ill conditions of women waste pickers and
scrap collectors is a complex phenomenon, related to multiple issues
and situations. Therefore upliftment in living and working conditions of
women waste pickers and scrap collectors requires multi branched
strategy of government, development organizations, and society as
described in recommendations.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Furedy, C. (1997), ‗Reflections on some dilemmas concerning waste pickers
and waste recovery.‘
Source Book for UWEP Policy Meeting 1997. Revised April 1999. WASTE,
Gouda, The Netherlands.
Bentley, Elizabeth. Struggle for Survival: Organising the Paper Pickers of
Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad: Mahila SEWA Trust, 1988.
Chen, Martha Alter. Towards Economic Freedom: The Impact of SEWA.
Ahmedabad, Gujarat: SEWA Academy, 2005.
Report on National Comission on labour
Chintan (Environment Research and Action Group). Scrap Crash. New Delhi:
Chintan, 2009. www.chintan-india.org.
Organising the Unorganised: A Case Study of the Kagad Kach Patra
Kashtakari Panchayat (Trade Union of Waste-pickers)
Recycling livelihoods Integration of the Informal Recycling Sector in Solid
Waste Management in India a study of Chintan Environmental Research
and Action Group and SNDT Womens‘ University
Waste Pickers and Collectors in Delhi: Poverty and environment in an
Urban Informal Sector Society for Economic and Social Research, Delhi
Trash has Crashed : Impact of Financial Crisis on Waste
Pickers of Ahmedabad City, by the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP), India.
Websites: www.guardian.co.uk.
www.indianmetals.com/news/recycling
www.irishtimes.com
www.letsrecycle.com
www.newyorktimes.com
www.timesworld.com
www.sewa.org.
www.weigo.org.
http://www.nlsenlaw.org
www.kahija.org
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ANNEXURE
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRESurveyor Name: Deenky Shah
College: School of Social Science, Department of Labour Welfare, GUArea: Slums of Shahpur-Khariwadi Research Organisation: Kahija
Name:
Age:
Less than 14
14 to 20
20-30
30-40
40-50
50 or above
NUMBER OF MEMBERS INFAMILY
Up to 3
3-5
5-7
7 and above
GENDER:
Male
Female
TOTAL EARNING MEMBERS INFAMILY
Only 1
2-3
More than 3
MARITAL STATUS:
Married
Unmarried
Divorced
Widow
Type of house:
Kuccha
Pukka
Street dwellers
Educational Qualification:
Illiterate
Primary
Secondary
Higher secondary
College level
Complaints regarding of Basicamenities
Water
Drainage
Sanitation
Electricity
Any bad habits
Eating Tobacco
Smoking
Drinking
Type of Wages earned
Daily
Weekly
MonthlyNot fixed
Working Hours?Less than 3
3-5
5-7
More than 7
Earnings per day?30-60
60-100100-200
Monthly medical expenses?
Less than 100
200-300
300-400
400-500
Above 500
Are you able to save moneyfrom your salary
Yes
No
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Debt
1000-5000
5000-10000
10000-20000
20000-50000
More than 50000
Types of savings?
No savings
Kahija SHG
SEWA Bank
Health problems faced due to work?
Respiratory problems
TB
Skin problem
Back pain
Other
Association with any NGO?
Kahija
SEWA
Manav Sadhna
Benefitted by any schemes of government
BPL
APL
Other schemes
Problems faced at work place
Health Risk
Low income
No identity
No fix incomeNo vehicles to carry goods waste
Any health problems
Yes
NoWhich problem: _____________________
Other problems?
Harassment of securityguards
Problems due to dogs
Fear of being accused asthieves
Harassment of policeofficials/municipalofficials
No child care centre
Have you attended training-Counselingsessions organized by Kahija?
Yes
No
Association with any NGO,CBO or Union
Kahija
SEWA
Manav Sadhna
Any other
Benefits/aids from KahijaLegal aid
Awareness prog for womenempowerment
Couple counseling
Pregnancy help
Drop-in centers for children
Balwadi for their children
Years of Association withKahija
Less than 2
2-4
5-7
More than 7
Remarks: Any Suggestion?
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