Organizing on the Streets: A Study of Reclaimers in ... - Inclusive Cities
Organizing on the Streets: A Study of Reclaimers in ... - Inclusive Cities
Organizing on the Streets: A Study of Reclaimers in ... - Inclusive Cities
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<str<strong>on</strong>g>Organiz<strong>in</strong>g</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Streets</strong>: A <strong>Study</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Reclaimers</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Streets</strong> <strong>of</strong> Cape Townabout 16h00. They sell <strong>the</strong>ir collecti<strong>on</strong> to an <strong>in</strong>termediary who pays <strong>the</strong>m far better than <strong>the</strong>previous <strong>in</strong>termediary. Their earn<strong>in</strong>gs have improved from R4 a load to R40 a load. They do nothave <strong>the</strong>ir own transport or protective cloth<strong>in</strong>g. The group claimed that <strong>the</strong>y are not coveredby any laws <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> country that would ord<strong>in</strong>arily be enjoyed by o<strong>the</strong>r workers. They have nounemployment or death <strong>in</strong>surance or any form <strong>of</strong> a disaster fund. They feel that <strong>the</strong> state shouldbe provid<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>se k<strong>in</strong>ds <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>surances to also cover <strong>the</strong>m. The group is <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> view that <strong>the</strong>re is anurgent need to organize waste pickers around <strong>the</strong> challenges that <strong>the</strong>y face. They see <strong>the</strong>mselvesc<strong>on</strong>tribut<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>the</strong> country’s wealth and yet <strong>the</strong>y are not valued for <strong>the</strong>ir efforts. One member <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> group said “we need to organize waste pickers <strong>in</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r areas, so that our presence is felt bythose <strong>in</strong> bus<strong>in</strong>esses and <strong>in</strong> government”. The group feels that <strong>the</strong> c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s <strong>the</strong>y work under are<strong>of</strong> c<strong>on</strong>cern; hence <strong>the</strong>y see <strong>the</strong> need to organize, although <strong>the</strong>y believe that language could pose abarrier when organiz<strong>in</strong>g.B. Scop<strong>in</strong>g Exercise Survey Form & Questi<strong>on</strong>naireInterview Questi<strong>on</strong>s for Focus Area <strong>Study</strong>This is an <strong>in</strong> depth study <strong>in</strong> <strong>on</strong>e area that explores how waste pickers <strong>in</strong> this area organize <strong>the</strong>ir daily work,whe<strong>the</strong>r and how <strong>the</strong>y are organized more formally, how <strong>the</strong>y relate to each o<strong>the</strong>r, whe<strong>the</strong>r and how <strong>the</strong>y cooperatewith each o<strong>the</strong>r, how <strong>the</strong>y relate to o<strong>the</strong>r groups (such as street traders, security, local community groups,etc), whom <strong>the</strong>y sell to, <strong>the</strong> challenges <strong>the</strong>y face, and <strong>the</strong> possibilities and potential for collective organizati<strong>on</strong>.This will be an area we have already been to scope, so you may recognize or be recognized bypeople <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> area.In approach<strong>in</strong>g reclaimers, <strong>in</strong>troduce yourself and expla<strong>in</strong> that:• you are do<strong>in</strong>g research <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> work <strong>of</strong> reclaim<strong>in</strong>g/collect<strong>in</strong>g and are <strong>in</strong>terested <strong>in</strong> what <strong>the</strong>yare do<strong>in</strong>g, how <strong>the</strong>y do it, and why.• it is part <strong>of</strong> a research project for an organizati<strong>on</strong> <strong>in</strong>terested <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>formal work, and workersorganiz<strong>in</strong>g for a better life.• we have already spoken to reclaimers <strong>in</strong> XX area and would like to get a better idea <strong>of</strong> some<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> issues <strong>the</strong>y face <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir work/lives.• expla<strong>in</strong> how l<strong>on</strong>g this <strong>in</strong>terview will take, and how l<strong>on</strong>g you will be <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> area for.• ask if you can take <strong>the</strong>ir photo.• leave <strong>the</strong>m with an <strong>in</strong>fo sheet so that <strong>the</strong>y can know more about <strong>the</strong> project, and c<strong>on</strong>tact uswith questi<strong>on</strong>s about this project, and about gett<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> our projects/forums/etc…You will need: questi<strong>on</strong> forms, clip board, pens, <strong>in</strong>fo sheets, camera, a recorder, and a reflecti<strong>on</strong>sheet to fill <strong>in</strong> at <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> each day. One pers<strong>on</strong> should be hold<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> recorder and ask<strong>in</strong>g<strong>the</strong> questi<strong>on</strong>s and ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g a c<strong>on</strong>versati<strong>on</strong> posture (ask<strong>in</strong>g, listen<strong>in</strong>g, resp<strong>on</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g), while <strong>the</strong>o<strong>the</strong>r takes copious notes and can also ask follow-up questi<strong>on</strong>s. However, do not rely <strong>on</strong>ly <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong>recorder, s<strong>in</strong>ce <strong>the</strong>y <strong>of</strong>ten fail even if it seems to be work<strong>in</strong>g!Questi<strong>on</strong>s for Researchers:Researchers’ names:Date & Time <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> area:What do you already know about <strong>the</strong> area and how work is organized here from previousvisits/c<strong>on</strong>versati<strong>on</strong>s?Do a walk around and get a sense/map <strong>the</strong> area: where are <strong>the</strong> buy-back centres, <strong>the</strong> ma<strong>in</strong> roads, etc:27