Analysis of the labor conditions of the catadores of recycled materials in the light of human rights

Abstract

This article addresses human intervention in the environment, highlighting the current environmental crisis characterized by climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Society, driven by consumerism, perpetuates behaviors that hinder the transition to sustainable practices, while neglecting the importance of waste pickers essential workers in the sorting and collection of recyclable materials. The research discusses the violation of the principles of decent work and human dignity, as established by international treaties and the 1988 Brazilian Federal Constitution, and how these conditions affect the realization of social and environmental rights. The central hypothesis is that, despite legislative recognition, there is a lack of social recognition, perpetuating the marginalization and poverty of waste pickers. The study is justified by the urgent need for solutions that promote the formalization of the sector, ensuring adequate social protection and decent working conditions. The methodology adopted is qualitative, based on bibliographic research and the analysis of statistical data and case law. The conclusion reinforces the need for a collective commitment among society, government, and the private sector to transform the reality of waste pickers, promoting a more just and sustainable society where the environment and human rights are equally prioritized.