By Jaranya Wongprom, Research and Development Institute of Khon Kaen University, Thailand

1. Labour in the Informal Sector
“Scavengers”
By
Jaranya Wongprom
Research and Development Institute of
Khon Kaen University
Thailand

2. Nakorn Khon
Kaen is one
of the big
cities in the
Northeast
of Thailand.
Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by Jaranya
Wongprom
The Union of
Myanmar
Laos PDR
Gulf of Thailand
Andaman Sea
KhonKhon KaenKaen

3. The city has rapidly grown
Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by Jaranya
Wongprom

4. 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 Jaranya
Wongprom

5. The Khon Kaen Municipality effectively
manages the city garbage collecting system.
Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by Jaranya
Wongprom

6. The only landfill site of the Municipality
is located at Ban KhamBon of NonThon
Sub-district, 10 km. far from the City.
Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by Jaranya
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7. 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 Jaranya
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8. Their task is to search
for recycling materials
they can sell.
Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by Jaranya
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9. Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by Jaranya
Wongprom
Once the Municipality
garbage’s truck comes to
the landfill, they are ready
to start their work.

10. Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by Jaranya
Wongprom
They try to search for
recycling material even
before the truck has
unloaded the garbage.

11. Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by Jaranya
Wongprom
Scavengers have
been faced with
various challenges:
occupational health
and safety,
low income
and social security.

12. 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 Jaranya
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13. 2) lack of personal
protective equipments
(PPE).
Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by Jaranya
Wongprom

14. Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by Jaranya
Wongprom
3) lack of knowledge to protect themselves.

15. 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 Thai
Health 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 Jaranya
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16. The HIA,
implementation
including 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 Jaranya
Wongprom

17. - to create several
different groups: for
example for men,
woman, children and
elderly people.
Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by Jaranya
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2)“How to work with them”

18. - Creating awareness
about the dangers of
working at a dumping
site
- Seeking for
alternative occupation
- Brainstorming
meeting
Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by Jaranya
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19. 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

20. We regard that scavengers as a
vulnerable 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 Jaranya
Wongprom
In Conclusion:

21. Thank you
Labour in the Informal Sector: Scavengers by Jaranya
Wongprom
Thank you