Abstract

Economic growth is fuelled in proportion to the stances of Liberalisation, Globalization and Privatization. Waste accumulation made India a “POOL OF WASTE" or Waste generation is a major problem in a city like GREATER CHENNAI. The urban population is on increase, the waste collectors and their helping hand in making capital cities clean “CLEAN INDIA” is indispensable. Growth in the number of waste pickers helps in waste management. Waste collectors are different from Rag pickers. Waste collection is a type of informal work that provides survival to large number of poverty-stricken people in India. They are exposed to toxins and the working environment also lacks protection. There is no health insurance policy exclusively for waste pickers and the available schemes are also not accessed by them. Waste Collectors from Poonamalleee municipality, Thiruvallure District, Tamil Nadu are most vulnerable socially, economically and also on health ground. Socially they are subject to harassment and sexual abuse- Health needs of these people are not met due to poor awareness and accessibility. The migrant workers are worse affected and the fruits of Government Health Insurance Schemes do not reach them. Government initiation is essential to make this Informal Waste Collecting group to enjoy the fruits of Government Health Insurance Schemes and Policy.