Gwangju Nam-gu (District Mayor Kim Byungnae) is set to provide safe alternative jobs to stabilize the lives of elderly people who collect waste paper and to prevent health deterioration caused by heat waves.
According to the district office on the 2nd, a survey on the current status of elderly waste paper collectors will be conducted until the 16th of next month. The purpose is to identify their current situation and, through individual consultations, provide tailored welfare services, check their health conditions, and gauge their willingness to participate in job programs.
This survey will serve as data for developing policy projects to ensure a safe and healthy retirement for elderly people who collect waste paper as a means of livelihood. To accurately assess the current situation, the district will use a detailed survey form to check for disabilities, receipt of livelihood benefits, participation in senior job programs, status of collection equipment, and preferred items during heat waves and cold spells.
Additionally, since the living patterns of these elderly people, who start working early in the morning, make it difficult to conduct individual consultations at their homes, the district plans to frequently visit their main scrap dealers and encourage those they meet there to participate in the survey.
Alongside this, Nam-gu is also working on a plan to prevent unfortunate accidents and provide relief from labor under the scorching sun for elderly waste paper collectors vulnerable to summer heat waves by supporting job opportunities through participation in the Resource Recycling Activity Group.
The Resource Recycling Activity Group is expected to operate throughout August, when the heat is at its peak. Instead of collecting waste paper under extreme heat, the program will offer easier tasks that are less affected by the hot weather.
Elderly people wishing to participate can work in public institutions or similar places with safe working environments, handling recycling or environmental cleanup activities. If they work 16 hours over eight sessions during the month, they will receive an allowance of 200,000 won. Recruitment for the Resource Recycling Activity Group for elderly waste paper collectors is expected to begin around July.
A district official stated, "As there is a growing need for increased social attention and support measures, we will do our best to conduct the survey and pursue policy projects."
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