Harsh Conditions for Vientiane’s Garbage Collectors
Garbage collectors in Vientiane, Laos, endure harsh living conditions, facing significant health risks and inadequate healthcare. A World Bank report urges immediate action to improve their safety and legal status. Workers like Thong Vongchaleun earn only one million Lao Kip per month, struggling to cover daily expenses and facing physical and financial challenges. The report calls for integrating waste collectors into the formal sector to ensure better management and workers' well-being.
Garbage collectors in Vientiane, Laos, endure harsh living conditions, with significant health risks and inadequate healthcare.
The World Bank’s recent report urges immediate action to improve their safety and legal status.
Workers like Thong Vongchaleun, a 62-year-old from Nong Douang Thong village, earn only one million Lao Kip (about 45 dollars) per month, struggling to cover daily expenses.
Thong describes her 20-year job as physically and financially challenging.
Many waste collectors live and work at the Km 32 landfill outside the city, facing potential injuries, poverty, and social risks.
Alex Kremer, World Bank Country Manager for Laos, highlights the absence of basic safety measures for these workers.
The report calls for improved training, equipment, and access to welfare, healthcare, and safety protections.
With only 31 percent of households in Vientiane having access to waste collection services, integrating waste collectors into the formal sector is crucial for better management and workers’ well-being.
The World Bank’s recent report urges immediate action to improve their safety and legal status.
Workers like Thong Vongchaleun, a 62-year-old from Nong Douang Thong village, earn only one million Lao Kip (about 45 dollars) per month, struggling to cover daily expenses.
Thong describes her 20-year job as physically and financially challenging.
Many waste collectors live and work at the Km 32 landfill outside the city, facing potential injuries, poverty, and social risks.
Alex Kremer, World Bank Country Manager for Laos, highlights the absence of basic safety measures for these workers.
The report calls for improved training, equipment, and access to welfare, healthcare, and safety protections.
With only 31 percent of households in Vientiane having access to waste collection services, integrating waste collectors into the formal sector is crucial for better management and workers’ well-being.
