AMMAN — Whether
the Jordanian government should regulate the collection of metal scraps or not
is a point of contention, especially amongst those in the profession.
اضافة اعلان
And while collecting and
selling scrap metals can provide workers with hundreds of dinars per month, it remains
an unregulated profession that exposes workers to danger, the Jordanian Labor
Observatory reported.
“Sometimes I make no less
than JD5,000, and other times I make just around JD1,000,” said Amer Al-Kilani,
who has been working in scrap collection for 25 years, according to Jo24.
This work both feeds his
family of eight and helps the environment, he said. “Without this job, where
would all the scrap go?”
Mobility ‘without
harassment’Kilani is one of those who
wants the profession to be regulated.
“Sometimes my dealings are
with companies and factories, and I need official papers,” he said.
If it is regulated in
cooperation with the Ministry of Labor, workers could gain proper documentation
to make their dealings easier.
The papers are also important
in the face of police scrutiny.
Kilani used to drive between
governorates in a pickup truck in search of scrap deals, which exposed him to
suspicion of selling stolen goods. Nowadays, he makes transactions through
social media.
“Once the profession is
regulated, I will be able to go anywhere without harassment,” he says.
On the other hand, Abu Zaid
does not want authorities to get involved in the scrap business.
“The time has come to secure protection for workers in the (scrap metal) profession, and comprehensively integrate them into the economy.”
As a 10-year veteran of the
scrap trade, he has been able to earn around JD600 per month and provide for
his family.
“Our work in this field is
free, and I do not see any need to put it under a government umbrella,” he
says.
Both Kilani and Abu Zaid buy
scrap by weight, then sell it at a higher price, negotiating with merchants at
each step of the process.
Health concernsHowever, scrap metal presents
many hazards to workers in the field. Sharp pieces can cause punctures and
scratches, while heavy objects can fall on workers, causing fractures.
Collectors are not covered by
Social Security, so they are not insured to receive medical treatment.
“I don’t have health
insurance, not even Social Security. If I did, the situation would be better,”
Kilani says.
Abu Zeid, on the other hand,
says that he can manage his own affairs and receive medical treatment without
insurance.
Economic expert Hossam Ayesh
believes that “the time has come to secure protection for workers in the (scrap
metal) profession and comprehensively integrate them into the economy.”
Scrap can contain hazardous
materials and dangerous chemicals, Ayesh says, and collectors are important for
keeping Amman clean.
He calls on the Ministry of
Labor, the Ministry of Social Development, the Social Security Corporation, the
Greater Amman Municipality, other municipalities, and civil society
institutions to begin overseeing scrap metal collection.
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