Perfil dos Catadores de Materiais Recicláveis nos Lixões de Minas Gerais / Characteristics of the Waste Pickers in Municipal Dumps in the State of Minas Gerais

Neste artigo procurou-se investigar as condicoes de trabalho e renda dos catadores de materiais reciclaveis em lixoes a ceu aberto no estado de Minas Gerais. Os dados foram obtidos a partir de uma pesquisa tipo “survey”, inclusive numa perspectiva regional, cujos objetivos foram: identificar, dimensionar e caracterizar as principais carencias e necessidades desses trabalhadores e de suas familias. Entre outros aspectos, foram abordados: a Idade, estrutura familiar, renda, condicoes de trabalho atuais e anteriores ao lixao, formalizacao e associacao. Observou-se que, a maioria dos catadores e do sexo masculino, mas tambem com importante participacao, das mulheres, de jovens e idosos, normalmente, com baixa qualificacao e com experiencia anterior no mercado formal de trabalho. Como conclusao principal foi enfatizada a importância dos empreendimentos auto gestionarios para a melhoria das condicoes de trabalho, especialmente no atual contexto de mudanca da legislacao brasileira sobre a disposicao final do lixo urbano. Palavras–chave: Catadores, lixo, condicoes de trabalho, associacao. Abstract In this article was analyzed the labor conditions and income of people who collect recyclable materials in open municipal dumps in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data were obtained from a survey did with pickers in a regional and municipal perspectives. Individual characteristics like age, family structure, income, workload, work association, previous works and work formalization among others were gotten. The main aim of this research was to obtain data about the needs and problems of these workers and their families. The majority of them are men, with an important share of youths and elderlies, they have low qualifications, and some previous experience in the formal market. As conclusion, the importance of self-managed organizations was emphasized what allow waste pickers improve their income and working conditions, especially in a recent context of change in the Brazil´s waste disposal legislation. Keywords : garbage collectors, recycling, working conditions, Association.