The Association of Ragpickers

Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Primary information

Year formed

1999

Registered in

2000

Formally registered

On

Language

Bangla, English, Hindi, Urdu

Number of groups

11

Number of members

408

Type of members

Members are waste pickers

Occupation of members

Scrap dealers, Waste collectors, Waste pickers

Type of Organization

Community based organization

Organizational Reach

Local

Workplace of members

Open, Slums, Street

Membership

No

Organization Structure

There is an Executive Committee, constituted with the participation of waste-pickers: President, Secretary, Treasurers. The organization is spread across 5 areas, with sub-committee in each of the areas. Waste-pickers are members of the sub-committee.

Education and training

Business & project management, Leadership training, Learning exchange, Literacy & school, Mobilization, Rights & duties, Risks & health, Waste management

Partnering organizations

Tiljala Shed

Affiliations

Aiw

Funding

Membership fees, Self funded

Internal elections

Every 5 years

Women composition

60,5% 161

Social networking sites

Benefits

Member benefits

Child assistance programmes, Clean & healthy environment, Education programmes, Id cards, Savings or credit scheme, Social & pension benefits, Training & advocacy

Safety & Technology

Safety boots

Services

What kind of relationship exists with the municipality?

None

How is the relationship with the municipality?

Conflictual and/or problematic

Types of materials

Bones, Bottles, Cans, Electronic waste, Glass, Metals, Paper and cardboard, Plastic, Plastics, Shoe soles

Are they selling to middlemen?

Yes

Activities

Buying materials, Cleaning, Collection of recyclables, Sensitization of locals, Sorting waste, Training and capacity building, Waste collection, Waste sorting

Challenges to access waste

Availability of waste, Contamination from waste, Exploitation, Foul smell & contamination from waste, Harassment from authorities, Lack of education & training, Lack of infrastructure & resources, Lack of recognition, Lack of unity between organizations, Price fluctuations of waste, Transportation

Complementary Information

Information source

The information was filled by Ayesha Bibi and submitted to the Alliance of Indian Wastepickers

Comments / Narrative

The Association of Ragpickers (ARP) of Kolkata is an autonomous organization run by waste-pickers with the support of Tiljala SHED. The waste-pickers are in executive position. The organization has its own bank account. The members are engaged in waste collection. The organizing activities have helped in increasing the income of waste-pickers. The organization members aka waste-pickers meet regularly to discuss the issues of issuance of occupational identity cards, festivals planning, health clinics and access to social entitlements. Thanks to the organizing effort, the waste-pickers have been enrolled in the State-Assisted Scheme of Provident Fund for Unorganized Workers (SASPUW). The organization is fighting for rights and entitlements for waste-pickers.