Living on broken glass

TUOITRE

Over 15 households in Tan Hiep Hamlet in Di An District in southern Binh Duong Province are struggling to earn a living by collecting and selling broken mirrors.

Sitting on the ground full of broken glass, Bui Thi No quickly picked up one piece and put it in a plastic basket. Her hands are full of scars from glass cuts.

No said it did not matter much that her job was dangerous. “As long as I have money to send the kids to school,” she said.

No and her husband left Ca Mau for Tan Hiep to work in a cullet workshop, hoping to earn enough to send their two children to school.

One year ago, No’s husband was severely injured by a piece of broken glass. They had to spend all of their savings to treat him. Too frightened by the accident, No’s husband has stopped working.

But No continues on, as she can’t find another job.

Tan Hiep’s residents like No, most of whom come from central and southern western provinces, started their business 5 years ago.

The men wander around Binh Duong and sometimes travel as far as Ho Chi Minh City or Dong Nai Province to buy broken mirrors. 

The women stay behind, washing those mirrors, breaking them into small pieces, then selling them to glass recycling factories.

Each bag of broken glass earns them VND5,000 and they don’t usually earn more than VND100,000 (US$5) a day.

Like No, Luong brought his whole family from the western province of An Giang to work in a cullet workshop in Tan Hiep.

Everyday, Luong, his wife and two daughters-in-law wash broken mirrors and separate the good pieces for VND50,000 ($2.5) a day, while his two sons follow their boss to buy broken glass for VND100,000 ($5) a day.

Last month, the whole hamlet was shocked by the death of a 22-year-old man from the northern province of Ha Giang while working. 

The man was cut in the neck by a piece of broken glass. 
 
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