New sustainability commitments offer an opportunity to uplift Thailand’s informal sector

Informal workers dominate the Southeast Asian labor market, making up over half of the region’s workforce. They play a vital role in many industries, including waste management and recycling – a sector that is set to be a focus of discussion as the world turns its attention to ambitious sustainability goals. Plastic, in particular, will be at the top of the agenda as negotiations on the details of a landmark global legally binding instrument begin.

As the demand for recycled plastics continues on a positive trajectory, the role of informal waste workers, who are at the frontline of waste recovery, will similarly grow in importance. It is now more timely than ever for the ecosystem to address the fundamental issues relating to their welfare and treatment, in order to ensure that supply chains are held to the highest standards.