Gyeongbuk's 3,500 Elderly Paper Collectors Earn 160,000 Won Monthly... Representative Byeonggeun Choi Proposes Support Ordinance for Collectors

22% Have Experienced Traffic Accidents, etc.
Support for Protective Gear and Transportation Equipment

Choi Byung-geun, a member of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Assembly (People Power Party·Gimcheon 1), announced on the 4th that he has taken the lead in proposing the "Ordinance on Support for Recyclable Waste Collectors in Gyeongsangbuk-do" at the 352nd extraordinary session.

This ordinance aims to establish a legal basis to promote resource recycling and improve the welfare of collectors by enacting an ordinance to support collectors engaged in collecting recyclables for their livelihood, in a situation where the recycling rate of household waste, which amounts to 16.69 million tons annually nationwide, remains at 59%.

Choi Byung-geun, Gyeongbuk Provincial Assembly Member

The main contents of the ordinance include the establishment of plans and implementation of surveys to support recyclable waste collectors, designating support recipients as collectors residing in the province with consideration of their property ownership status, and provisions for support to improve personal protective equipment and transportation equipment to prevent traffic accidents.

Additionally, to ensure systematic and continuous implementation, the ordinance stipulates that the governor is responsible for preparing and promoting necessary policies for the safety and protection of recyclable waste collectors. However, to prevent overlapping support, it is also stipulated that support may not be provided if similar support is received under laws and regulations.

Choi Byung-geun, who took the lead in proposing this ordinance, stated, "Gyeongsangbuk-do has about 3,500 elderly people making a living by collecting waste paper, the second highest in the nation after Gyeonggi-do. Their monthly income from collecting waste paper is about 160,000 won, and 22% of those engaged have experienced injuries such as traffic accidents. Despite these hardships, there are no alternative income measures, and according to a survey by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, 89% said they would continue collecting work in the future." He added, "With the enactment of this ordinance, a legal foundation will be established to support livelihood-type recyclable waste collectors, promoting resource recycling and practically contributing to the safety and welfare improvement of collectors."

Meanwhile, this ordinance passed the review of the Culture and Environment Committee on the 4th and is scheduled for final approval at the plenary session on the 5th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.