Garbage Collection and Rag Picking: An Issue of Child Labor in Rawalpindi (An Anthropological Approach)

Abstract

The nature of this study was qualitative and covers the children collecting the Garbage and Rag picking in Rawalpindi city. In the study, Afghan scavengers were selected for qualitative analyses. The family backgrounds of these scavengers and the demographic factors were also analyzed. Most of the qualitative methods including key informant interviews, visit and stay in the area, In-depth interview of 50 participants was applied to observe the phenomenon and collect the relevant information. The process of scavenging and the situation explored presented that besides poverty and economic pressure, the migration, independent nature of scavenging work, higher income as capered to other forms of child labor and increased urbanization were the major causes behind the phenomenon. The study also revealed that scavenging children face isolation due to their Afghan identity, higher health risks due to unprotected exposure to hazardous waste and routine violence from people. A comprehensive strategy is required for dealing with this issue in society.