Um trabalho de lixo?

: análise da atividade de cantoneiros de limpeza em Portugal

Abstract

In spite of the extensive literature related to the treatment and quantity of waste produce, few has been explored in Portugal about the workers activity, who collect the Urban Waste, on trucks, named as roadmen. This essay aims to truly understand this activity and the conditions it is developed, it followed a methodological quality approach, based on direct observation and semi-structured interviews with six roadmen. Although it is an exploratory research the results showed the countless risks these workers are exposed every day: from hazardous substances, that are unknowingly put in the trash, to running overs, as this activity is carry out on the street, with rain and cold without any chance of protection. Furthermore, the workers think their work distribution is unfair (the collected paths aren’t uniform); there are different opinions about the uniform and the unknown is something really present in this activity. Aware of the prevention importance, they gathered strategies and tricks, despite the risks that can come and keeping all the demands established.

Date of Award	2015
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Liliana Cunha (Supervisor) & Joana Fernandes (Supervisor)