Tormenting experiences captured in the PRF’s Mapping Exercise, 1,059 captured so far

1,059 people have so far been captured in the Pacific Recycling Foundations Mapping Exercise of the Waste Collection Sector in Fiji, comprising 472 females, 570 males, and 17 belonging to the LGBTQI+ community, revealed the Founder of the PRF and CEO of Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited, Mr. Amitesh Deo.

The PRF’s Founder made the revelation following three weeks of Mapping Exercise which covered the whole of Viti Levu as well as Labasa and Savusavu.

“These numbers include those that have been interviewed and profiled around the country as well as some individuals that may have been missed due to reasons which will be revealed in the report, to be released in August 2023,” said Mr. Deo.

Of the 1,059 individuals, 675 are fully dependent on waste collection as their primary source of income while 379 individuals stated that their secondary source of income is derived from waste picking.

Many of these individuals do not have access to clean water, toilet, and hygienic places to have meals while waste picking. 186 people revealed they use bushes as their toilet.

He said these individuals are exposed to many risks, particularly health risks which have a direct impact on the sustainability of their livelihoods.

Mr. Deo said the PRF’s Mapping Exercise of the Waste Collection Sector in Fiji which has been done in partnership with Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO) and through the support of partners such as Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, Asco Motors and Tourism Fiji, has allowed the Foundation to gain deep insights into the practices of both formal and informal waste collection sector.

There have been a number of cases where those involved in informal waste picking are facing unimaginable challenges of homelessness and poverty.

“In one particular case, a woman who collects and sells recyclables was found living in an abandoned house. She was wearing wet clothes despite the cold weather and displayed little concern for her discomfort and carried on with the conversation. This endurance underscores the harsh realities she faces daily, yet remains resilient in her pursuit of survival. Throughout the interview, the woman displayed signs of resentment and fear, expressing reluctance to engage in an open conversation and these signs pointed to a possible traumatic response from past experiences,” revealed Mr. Deo.

He said recognising the need for immediate support, the woman has been referred to the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre for counseling and other necessary support.

In another case, the PRF team interviewed a man who walks long distances in search of recyclables for his daily survival and usually sleeps under a building in the car park area. He revealed people usually told him they would rather throw away waste materials than give them to him.

“This perception of people had added an extra layer of hardship to his already difficult life. However, the man was not alone in his endeavors. His wife, a once-orphaned young woman, stood by his side, supporting him in their waste-picking journey. Together, they travelled long distances, gathering recyclables to sustain their livelihood,” stated Mr. Deo.

According to the PRF Founder, the man’s wife suffered from chronic health issues, including asthma, which plagued her ability to help her husband. He said the man revealed in the interview that seeking medical attention became a struggle as they faced repeated blame from medical staff for her frequent hospital visits, hindering her access to the essential treatment she desperately required. The woman who was 26 years old, has passed away.

“Our team also interviewed a mother of three who is involved in informal waste picking with her husband. It was brought to our attention that she was breastfeeding her baby and carrying two other children with her while waste-picking. While speaking to her, our team found out that one of her children was involved in a road accident last year, and is now partially incapacitated. She revealed they are yet to receive accident compensation and are also facing huge obstacles in accessing the medical report for her son from the hospital, which they need for his overseas medical treatment,” revealed Mr. Deo.

The PRF has also referred this case to the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre and is also liaising with relevant agencies and authorities to support this woman.

The PRF’s Mapping Exercise of the Waste Collection Sector is being done through a questionnaire interview which focuses on the socioeconomic and environmental conditions, living conditions, access to basic services and amenities, and work-related challenges of those involved in waste picking.

Through this mapping exercise, the PRF aims to create a comprehensive database of those involved in waste picking, which will be useful for policy-makers, researchers, and other stakeholders.