5,000 Children Scavenging in Iran’s Capital

Based on research conducted in Tehran, there are 54,000 garbage collection bins in the capital, and estimates indicate that 14,000 people across the city are engaged in garbage scavenging, of which 5,000 are children.

The minimum age to begin scavenging is 10 years old. Children younger than this are also observed, who typically learn garbage scavenging alongside their fathers, and elderly individuals are also among scavengers. Most have elementary school education and are usually rejected by family, addicted, separated, or migrants. Municipal contractors use scavengers, and no law criminalizes scavenging, though garbage theft from scavengers is a danger that threatens them.

According to the cultural and social deputy of Tehran Municipality: “The hardest and most harmful work for children is garbage scavenging, because they come into contact with various types of waste, including hospital waste, and the only way out is to convince contractors not to use children.”

Source: Voice of America