New research into selected geographical regions across Vietnam, for example, finds that the majority of plastic waste is being recycled by informal workers in craft villages. These waste pickers need to be given a voice.
Asia is well-positioned to play a leading role in advancing the global plastic treaty. Indonesia and India provide good examples of how proactive national action plans can help unlock finance and encourage innovation in the private sector.
An updated law prohibiting forced labour is limited to formal employment relationships. Workers in sectors that are unregulated are not sufficiently protected, nor does the law reach workers who have free movement, but suffer mistreatment.