India Rubbish Pickers in Delhi Endure Extreme Heat and Toxic Air for Daily Wage
Over a million people in India make a living by sorting through the staggering 62 million tonnes of rubbish that the country generates yearly. In New Delhi’s Bhalaswa landfill, waste pickers brave extreme heat, toxic gases, and heavy loads every day in order to earn a meager income. Despite the essential nature of their work for survival, these waste pickers face numerous health risks and have minimal safety measures in place, underscoring the brutal realities of informal waste management in urban India.
Al Jazeera’s Hamza Mohamed delves into the lives of these courageous waste pickers, shedding light on the harsh conditions they endure in order to make ends meet. The video captures the challenging environment in which these individuals work, highlighting the dangerous combination of extreme heat, toxic air, and heavy lifting that they face on a daily basis.
The plight of India’s waste pickers serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for improved waste management systems and better working conditions for those who are on the frontlines of dealing with the country’s burgeoning waste problem. It is a sobering glimpse into the sacrifices that these individuals make in order to support themselves and their families, and underscores the pressing need for greater awareness and support for the often invisible workforce that plays a crucial role in keeping our cities clean.
Watch the video by Al Jazeera English
Video “India Rubbish Pickers in Delhi Endure Extreme Heat and Toxic Air for Daily Wage” was uploaded on 06/30/2024 to Youtube Channel Al Jazeera English