Socio-economic assessment and feasibility study on - Ã–ko-Institut eV

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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
<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 August 2010 refurbishing <strong>and</strong> repair activities are also dominated by men. However, few jobs, mostly related to the sales of refurbished equipments or finance management, were observed to be filled by females. There is little information available on hierarchies or disciplinary practices. Also, systematic discriminatory practices could not be observed as well, probably due to small-scale <strong>and</strong>/or family based entities. Often, owners of refurbishing enterprises (formal <strong>and</strong> informal) employ interns for certain tasks. Such tasks range from learning <strong>and</strong> conducting technical work to typical household tasks (cleaning, washing etc). Generally, interns are not provided with any remuneration. On the contrary, interns are supposed to pay the owners occasionally a “token” charge for providing the opportunity to learn technical skills. In majority of the cases, interns are provided with shelter <strong>and</strong> food by the owners. 3.2.4 Forced labour There are no reports on forced labour within the refurbishing <strong>and</strong> e-waste recycling industry in Ghana. Ghana ratified the ILO fundamental conventions C29 on Forced Labour in 1957, <strong>and</strong> C105 on Abolition of Forced Labour in 1958. 3.2.5 Child labour Ghana ratified the ILO fundamental convention C182 on Worst Forms of Child Labour not until year 2000. The other ILO convention related to child labour, i.e. C138 on Minimum Age, has not yet been ratified by Ghana. Under the convention C138, the general minimum age for admission to employment or work is 15 years (13 for light work). Additionally, there is the possibility of setting the general minimum age at 14 (12 for light work) in regions where the economy <strong>and</strong> educational facilities are insufficiently developed. Furthermore, minimum age for hazardous work has been set at 18 years (16 years under the condition that “the health, safety <strong>and</strong> morals of the young persons concerned are fully protected <strong>and</strong> that the young persons have received adequate specific instruction or vocational training in the relevant branch of activity” – Article 3, paragraph 3). However, Article 3, paragraph 1 of the convention C138 specifically states that “the minimum age for admission to any type of employment or work which by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out is likely to jeopardise the health, safety or morals of young persons shall not be less than 18 years”. Considering severe health hazards associated with the e-waste recycling activities, as also described in the section “Safe <strong>and</strong> healthy working conditions” (3.2.1) of this report, inappropriate e-waste recycling activities carried out without adequate instruction, training <strong>and</strong> sensitization, would be classified as hazardous work. 27
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