Kim Seong-tae, Guri City Council Member, Urges Activation of Measures to Assess and Support Recycling Collectors

340th Extraordinary Session 5-Minute Free Speech
Need for Practical and Concrete Measures for the Safety and Welfare of Recyclable Collectors

Kim Seong-tae, a member of the Guri City Council in Gyeonggi Province (Chairman Shin Dong-hwa), urged the identification of the actual conditions and the establishment of support measures for recycling collectors during a 5-minute free speech at the first plenary session of the 2nd regular meeting of the 342nd session on the 20th.

Kim Sung-tae, Guri City Council member. Provided by Guri City Council

Starting his speech by explaining the significance and role of recycling collectors in our society, Councilman Kim Seong-tae specifically presented the hazardous working environment and conditions faced by recycling collectors through data from the Korea Senior Human Resources Development Institute and various media reports, appealing for comprehensive support for them.

He also mentioned a recent accident involving a man in his 70s collecting waste paper at Guri Hangang Citizens' Park in the district and proposed to the city administration specific support measures for the safety of recycling collectors in Guri, including △regular surveys on their actual conditions △provision of safety equipment and enhanced education △subscription to insurance for the safety of elderly waste paper collectors △support measures for income stabilization △and the implementation of public awareness campaigns.

Councilman Kim Seong-tae said, “Recycling collectors are environmental guardians who help Guri City develop sustainably. For Guri City's recycling policies to continue, they must be able to work in a stable environment,” adding, “Through my speech, I hope we can collectively consider the difficulties faced by recycling collectors and establish practical and concrete measures to ensure their safety and welfare.”