Od danas do sutra: radni uslovi neformalnih sakupljača sekundarnih sirovina u uslovima COVID-19 krize

Abstract

Neformalni sakupljači sekundarnih sirovina žive i rade u veoma lošim uslovima, a u kontekstu izmenjenom COVID-19 krizom javile su se nove teškoće koje su dodatno ugrozile njihov položaj. Više nego ranije, potrebno je pokazati solidarnost prema ovoj društveno ranjivoj grupi koja doprinosi celokupnom društvu. Osnovna istraživačka namena ovog rada je da na konzistentan način prikaže novi kontekst u kojem rade neformalni sakupljači, odnosno da identifikuje nove teškoće sa kojima se oni suočavaju. Metodološki pristup obuhvata analizu sadržaja prethodnih istraživanja i terensko istraživanje (upitnik i intervju sa 15 neformalnih sakupljača) realizovano na teritoriji grada Šabac. Rezultati istraživanja ukazuju na nepovoljan uticaj COVID-19 krize na kontekst rada neformalnih sakupljača, koji se ogleda u: ograničenju radnog vremena; onemogućavanju rada na deponijama i ulicama (zbog karantina, policijskog časa ili strože kontrole zabranjenih aktivnosti vezanih za neformalno sakupljanje); ograničenju saradnje sa domaćinstvima koja ne žele da budu u kontaktu sa neformalnim sakupljačima zbog straha od virusa; povećanom riziku ugrožavanja zdravlja. Novi kontekst rada je uzrokovao brojne teškoće, poput smanjenja zarade, gladovanja, povećanja konkurencije na ograničenim mestima rada i narušavanja zdravlja. Podrška neformalnim sakupljačima od strane javnog sektora u otežanim uslovima nije dovoljna, a kontinuirana podrška u naturi obezbeđena je uglavnom kroz civilni sektor. Izazovi sa kojima se susreću neformalni sakupljači zahtevaju izmenu pristupa politike i prakse, kao i podsticanje društvene solidarnosti.

Informal collectors of secondary raw materials live and work in very poor conditions, and in the context influenced by COVID-19 crisis, new difficulties have arisen which have further endangered their posi- tion. More than before, it is necessary to show solidarity towards this socially vulnerable group that contributes to the whole society. The main research purpose of this paper is to consistently present the new context in which informal collectors work, ie to identify new difficulties they face. The methodological approach includes the analysis of the content of previous research and field research (questionnaire and interview with 15 informal collectors) conducted in the city of Sabac. The results of the research indicate the unfavorable impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the context of the work of informal collectors, which is reflected in: limitation of working hours; disabling work on landfills and streets (due to quarantine, curfew or stricter control of prohibited activities related to informal collection); restricting cooperation with households that do not want to be in contact with informal collectors for fear of the virus; increased risk of health hazards. The new work context has caused a number of difficulties, such as declining wages, starvation, increased competition in limited jobs and health problems. Support to informal collectors by the public sector in difficult conditions is not sufficient, and continuous support in kind is provided mainly through the civil sector. The challenges faced by informal collectors require a change in policy and practice approach, as well as the encouragement of social solidarity.