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LEVEL B2

Shadowing the newsreader

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Sitting along a one kilometre stretch of road in Manila, The Philippines, are hundreds of workers breaking up electronic waste.

Known as 'mambabaklas' in Filipino, they're on the hunt for nickel, aluminium and copper, which they can sell on.

This demanding work's putting the health of the workers in danger, as burning away the rubber casing around the wires releases a poisonous mixture of chemicals.

Lead and mercury, amongst others, are emitted into the surrounding air.

These can lead to health issues such as cancer, nerve and breathing-related issues, endangering children as well as adults.

Rosana Milan is the head doctor at a health clinic.

This e-waste worker, Dexter Barsigan, has spent 13 years picking metal out of discarded laptops and air conditioners.

Three years ago his hands began aching and his eyesight started to worsen.

At times, he now has no choice but to observe his wife and nephew doing the work for him.

Generating 40 million kilogrammes of e-waste a year, The Philippines is among the top producers in Southeast Asia.

Although there are official facilities for waste disposal, with strict regulations, the mambabaklas are untrained and lack protective gear.

The group Medicins du Monde has been attempting to overcome this by providing the workers with masks, gloves and safety advice.

It's also taking steps to get the workers recognised, but coordinator Eva Lecat understands the workers' priority.

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