Invisíveis e essenciais: saúde, precarização e reconhecimento no trabalho de catadores

Abstract

Recyclable material collectors are essential agents for environmental sustainability in Brazil; however, their contribution coexists with severe precarity and social invisibility. This article investigates the working conditions, health-illness processes, and identity construction of 22 waste pickers at the landfill in Russas, Ceará. Using a qualitative methodology with semi-structured interviews and Thematic Content Analysis, the study deepens the understanding of these workers’ experiences. The findings reveal that entry into the activity stems from exclusion from the formal labor market and that the work is perceived dually: as a source of autonomy and, simultaneously, as a cause of illness and stigma. Professional identity is shaped by a constant tension between the dignity of providing a livelihood and social devaluation. The study concludes that the category’s vulnerability is a structural condition, highlighting the need for public policies that link waste management with social protection and occupational health, aiming for the effective recognition of these environmental agents.