Socio-economic assessment and feasibility study on - Öko-Institut eV

26
August 2010
<strong>Socio</strong>-<strong>economic</strong> <strong>assessment</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>feasibility</strong> <strong>study</strong>
on sustainable e-waste management in Ghana
from lead-borne diseases. Many workers complained of mucus <strong>and</strong> pain in the eyes, which
probably can be attributed to the fumes from the soldering activities. Furthermore, electrical
shocks while repairing <strong>and</strong> refurbishing activities, was reported to be another safety related
issue.
Discussions with various workers <strong>and</strong> the Agbogbloshie Scrap Dealer Association revealed
that refurbishers <strong>and</strong> recyclers are aware of existing health risks as they complain of headaches,
respiratory problems, chest pains, rashes, burns <strong>and</strong> cuts. Attempts to encourage
them to use donated inhalation masks have not been effective as they complain that they do
not feel comfortable wearing the masks or h<strong>and</strong> gloves.
3.2.2 Freedom of association <strong>and</strong> right to collective bargaining
Ghana ratified the ILO fundamental conventions C87 on Freedom of Association <strong>and</strong>
Protection of the Right to Organise Convention in 1965, <strong>and</strong> C98 on Right to Organise <strong>and</strong>
Collective Bargaining in 1959 12 . E-waste recycling in Ghana is organised into numerous
small <strong>and</strong> informal enterprises. As a major section of the enterprises or rather people is
involved in the informal sector, the e-waste recycling sector does not feature formalized
workers’ participation mechanisms. Similarly, in case of refurbishing businesses, experts
opinion suggest that more than 80% of enterprises/ people involved in the refurbishing sector
in Ghana are not registered with their respective local governmental bodies or metropolitan
assemblies (Pwamang 2010). Nevertheless, some form of informal collective bodies, such as
the Agbogbloshie Scrap Dealer Association do exist in Ghana. The Agbogbloshie Scrap
Dealer Association boosts about 3,000 members in the Accra metropolitan area. This body
also has a president <strong>and</strong> a secretary. Field observations suggest that the president <strong>and</strong> the
secretary only have a marginal influence on their members. Also, for the refurbishers <strong>and</strong>
repairers, a formal association known as GESTA with about 500 members, was found to be
active in Ghana. Additionally, there is a national workshop owners association, known as
NARWOA, for businesses engaged in the sale <strong>and</strong> repair of refrigerators, freezers <strong>and</strong> airconditioners.
3.2.3 Equality of opportunity <strong>and</strong> treatment <strong>and</strong> fair interaction
Ghana ratified ILO fundamental conventions C100 on Equal Remuneration in 1968, <strong>and</strong>
C111 on Discrimination (Employment <strong>and</strong> Occupation) in 1961.
The e-waste recycling sector in Ghana is dominated by male workers. However, many young
girls of ages between 9 <strong>and</strong> 12 were also observed working as collectors at the Agbogbloshie
dumpsite. The collection <strong>and</strong> recycling activities in the e-waste recycling sector entail
mostly workers from the northern part of Ghana. Thus, people from the same region are
generally preferred when it comes to providing new employment opportunities. The
12 Source: ILO Website: http://www.ilo.org/ilolex/english/convdisp1.htm