(Re)conhecimento das condições de vida dos catadores autônomos de materiais reutilizáveis e recicláveis do Centro de Fortaleza

Abstract

This work presents part of a Master´s degree research aimed to survey the life conditions (i.e. their social, economic and labor ones) of the self-employed recyclable and reusable waste scavengers working in downtown Fortaleza (State of Ceará, Brazil). The city´s downtown was chosen because its economic and social life results in the production of a large quantity of recyclable solid waste on a daily basis, which in turn attracts many waste scavengers. This study involved 25 voluntary, selfemployed waste scavengers working in downtown Fortaleza who answered a questionnaire with 20 open and close questions. The field work was conducted in March 2016. Most of the participants were males in the most productive stage of their lives and with a low schooling level, earning less than a minimum wage and subordinated to the owners of the warehouses. Their daily life is characterized by disrespect, health problems, precarious working tools and labor organization difficulties. Curiously enough, almost all of them were satisfied with their job and were aware of the importance of their work for the cleaning of the city, recycling and environmental preservation.