Living Wage Study 2025: Empowering Waste Collectors for a Sustainable Future

Terms of Reference (ToR) - Living Wages Study 2025
Organization: Plastics for Change
Apply By: 5th February 2025

1. About Plastics for Change (PFC)

Plastics for Change is a fair trade-certified B2B plastic recycling company that sources plastic waste from a network of over 5,000 waste collectors, providing high-quality recycled plastic to leading consumer brands.

• Mission: To build transparent and responsible supply chains while improving the dignity and quality of life for informal waste collectors through social and financial inclusion, education, healthcare, and other initiatives.
• Key Focus: Social Additionality (SA) division works on empowering waste collectors through fair trade practices and capacity-building efforts.

2. Objective of the Living Wage Study

To scientifically determine and develop living wage standards for waste collectors and scrap shop workers in line with International Labour Organization (ILO) guidelines.

• Focus on a living wage that covers housing, food, healthcare, education, and social security.
• Take into account local economic conditions and labor market dynamics.

3. Scope of Work

Key Activities

1. Location Visits: Assess income and living wage conditions at specified locations.
2. Target Population: Study waste collectors and scrap shop workers both within and outside the PFC supply chain for comparative analysis.
3. Demographic Overview: Analyze the socio-economic conditions of workers in PFC locations.
4. Contextualizing Living Wages: Evaluate living wage standards based on basic needs like food, housing, education, and healthcare.
5. Impact Analysis: Measure the effectiveness of Stakeholder Development Fund (SDF) and Social Accountability (SA) interventions on workers' well-being.

Methodology

• Design a study framework with robust data collection and analysis methods.
• Define the sample size (e.g., 20% of stakeholders within and outside PFC supply chains).
• Living Wage Calculation: Use ILO framework for calculation.
• Assess current earnings, utilization patterns, and gaps in income.

Key Comparisons

1. Living Wage vs. Minimum Wage: Highlight how living wages better meet workers' needs.
2. PFC Workers vs. Non-PFC Workers: Compare income levels.

Outcome

• Quantify income shortfall or increase against living wage standards in percentage terms.
• Identify reasons for income disparities (economic, social, or employment-related).
• Provide actionable recommendations to bridge income gaps.

4. Deliverables

• Study Report: Detailed report with an executive summary.
• Presentation: Findings and recommendations.

5. Study Locations

• Chennai, Pondicherry, Mangalore, Kumta, Mysore, Vizag, and Kolkata.

6. Timeline

• Start Date: 15th February 2025.
• End Date: March 2025.
• Duration: 25 days from the agreement signing date.

7. Consultancy Fees

• Fees will be as per industry standards.

8. Submission Guidelines

• Proposal Requirements:
  1. Include research methodology, tools to be used, and consultancy fees.
  2. Proposal must not exceed 2 pages (Calibri font size 12).
• Deadline: 5th February 2025.
• Submit To: Sasikumar@plasticsforchange.com

Proposals outside these guidelines will be disqualified.

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