Frontline waste sorting force
Ms. Ho Thi Nhan (Thanh Khe ward) has been involved in the scrap metal collection business for over 10 years to make a living. Every day, she wakes up early, travels throughout residential areas to buy scrap metal, sorts it, and then sells it to dealers. Her work is arduous, she is constantly exposed to foul odors and dirty garbage, and faces the risk of skin and respiratory diseases, yet her income is only about 3 million VND per month.
Due to difficult family circumstances and having to rent a house, the couple did not have children. She also lacks social insurance, only receiving a health insurance card from the local authorities. She hopes to have a small house to settle down and have enough health to continue her profession.
Meanwhile, Ms. Dang Thi Loi (Ngu Hanh Son ward) has been making a living collecting scrap metal for over 20 years. The work is arduous; she has repeatedly cut her hands with metal, stepped on sharp objects, and even fallen off her motorbike while carrying bulky goods. Her income is unstable, and she lacks a pension and health insurance, leaving her constantly worried about her old age.
Nevertheless, she persevered in her work to support her two children through university, and they now both have stable jobs. Ms. Loi shared: "As long as I have the strength, I will continue working to save for when I get sick. If I stop working and unfortunately fall ill, I don't know where I will go. I hope to receive support for an annual health insurance card to ease the burden of hospital fees."
Ms. Tran Thi Kim Nga, Vice President of the Women's Union of Ngu Hanh Son Ward, said that while previously the work of collecting scrap was only seen as a means of livelihood, society now clearly recognizes that women scrap collectors are an important link in the chain of recycling, reuse, and reducing plastic waste. They are the frontline force in waste sorting, separating recyclable materials from household waste, significantly reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills.
Currently, a Women's Club for collecting scrap materials has been established in the ward with 25 members, maintaining regular activities. Members receive training in waste sorting, hygiene, and health protection. In addition, those in difficult circumstances receive health insurance, livelihood support, gifts, and protective work gear from the City Women's Union. As a result, the women feel more confident, find meaning in their work, and receive positive recognition from the community.
Support for women's recycling groups
To support women's recycling groups, the Da Nang City Women's Union is implementing various activities of the project "Strengthening the capacity and mobilizing the participation of women's recycling groups in the management, sorting, and processing of solid waste and plastic waste in Da Nang City". The project is funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and approved by the Da Nang City People's Committee, and will be implemented from December 2024 to December 2025 in three wards: Ngu Hanh Son, An Khe, and Thanh Khe.
Many project activities were implemented, such as: establishing and maintaining Women's Clubs for collecting scrap materials in pilot localities; providing loans and livelihood support; organizing communication activities and waste sorting at source with the participation of the network of women's scrap collection groups…
Ms. Truong Thi Thanh, from the Women's Club for Scrap Collectors in An Khe Ward, said that joining the club helps members gain more knowledge and skills in waste sorting, contributing to environmental protection. At the same time, they receive guidance on exercises to improve their health and are given health insurance cards. This is a great encouragement for the women working in scrap collection who are participating in the project.
In order to develop policy mechanisms to support women's recycling groups, the City Women's Union recently organized a consultation workshop to listen to contributions from delegates. According to Vice President of the City Women's Union Nguyen Thi Huyen, at the workshop, delegates heard a report on the results of the project "Strengthening the capacity and mobilizing the participation of women's recycling groups in waste management, sorting, and treatment."
Based on these results, delegates discussed and proposed more appropriate policies, focusing on supporting health insurance, voluntary social insurance, providing protective equipment and tools, and recognizing women who collect scrap as an official workforce participating in the circular economy . These contributions provide the association with a basis for advising on specific policies, ensuring social security and enhancing the role of women who collect scrap in the community.
Source: https://baodanang.vn/tham-lang-bao-ve-moi-truong-3310783.html
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