Characteristics of the Waste Pickers in Municipal Dumps in the State of Minas Gerais

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