Moolchand is a waste picker from Uttaranchal, but he has been working in South Delhi for about fifteen years. I followed him on various occasions, and regularly visit him during my missions in India. On that day, Moolchand was happy to show me the waste picker ID card he had just received, which provided him with a relative protection during police checks. However, this does not mean that his job is now formalized: Moolchand is not really integrated to the city council services, he remains self-employed, receives no equipment from the municipality and is not entitled to any social security or salary, although he contributes to cleaning the streets of his local area. Moolchand’s situation is mirrored by the very basic shelter that can be glimpsed behind him: he remains a vulnerable worker, in need of more recognition.
