Citation

Maciel RH, Santos JBF, Matos TGR, Meireles GF, Vieira MEA, Fontenelle MF. Pol. Pract. Health Saf. 2010; 8(2): 95-112.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (Great Britain))

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

The unemployment crisis that resulted in the social exclusion of workers and the emergence of recycling industries has favoured an increase in the number of waste scavengers in large urban centres of developing countries. In Fortaleza, Brazil, between 8,000 and 10,000 people work as street scavengers in private junkyards and small-scale businesses, or as members of associations. These workers are the first link in the recycling chain. The aim of this study is to understand the working conditions of associated, as opposed to unaffiliated, scavengers working in private scrapyards and to identify the impact of scavenging on their health conditions. The qualitative method consisted of interviews, focus groups and an ethnographic study. Scavenging work involves collecting recyclable materials from the streets, wasteland or large rubbish bins outside houses and apartment buildings. The average daily earnings of these workers are very low and their extreme poverty is obvious. Typical health issues experienced by these workers include back pain, infections and injuries sustained when handling waste and as a result of traffic accidents. However, associations can provide workers with a sense of identity and inclusion which, together with other minor improvements in work conditions and organisation, can constitute 'symbolic deprecarisation'. Although street scavenging is informal, unsecured and precarious work, 'symbolic deprecarisation' can be beneficial to street scavengers and serve as a model to workers in other informal precarious activities.