Pune Waste Pickers Protest Against Hanging Sword Of Contractualisation
Pune, 29th November 2021: Waste pickers from India’s 5th cleanest city seeking a livelihood, Covid subsidy and dignity are left ‘Betrayed, Insulted and Disappointed’. Waste pickers who have been struggling for Job assurance, Covid Subsidy, dignity are again slapped with contractualisation, betrayal and disappointment.
3500 SWaCH waste pickers who have been striving hard for the city’s recognition are frustrated with temporary extensions and the imposition of the contractor’s system. They organised protest outside the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) as well as outside offices of political parties.
SWaCH is India’s first co-operative wholly owned by waste pickers. Brushing off SWaCH’s consistent efforts for the past 13 years, impressive contribution towards Pune’s solid waste management and sustainable livelihood of waste pickers PMC made a decision of temporary extension of one year to SWaCH in the General Body Meeting. With upcoming elections in Pune leaders from all political parties betrayed SWaCH waste pickers.
From ignored and marginalized to independent entrepreneurs, SWaCH waste pickers have traveled an extraordinary journey covering 70% of Pune with transparent and reliable service. The PMC-SWaCH model is appreciated and recognized by international organizations. SWaCH waste pickers have imbibed waste segregation and recycling culture in Pune. SWaCH waste pickers are disheartened with PMC’s decision to push them aside. All the other issues were discussed at length but the impending decision of SWaCH was dismissed in 5 minutes; waste pickers are upset with PMC’s approach.
Suman More, Chairperson, SWaCH stated, “Despite support from 33 lakhs citizens and 114 corporators, PMC’s decision of temporary extension is shocking. Hon, Supriya Sule, Hon. Mohan Joshi, Hon. Mayor Murlidhar Mohol promised us and to Hon. senior union leader Dr. Baba Adhav to fulfill our demands in the protest held in July and. The leaders didn’t keep their promise and broke the trust of citizens, corporators and party leaders. Now, they are openly talking about imposing a contractor system. Our sisters lost their lives due to Covid. We worked on prioritizing the city’s health despite no renewal of the contract. One-year extension is a clear betrayal by the PMC. We are taken for granted; our organization is being insulted; we are really disheartened.”
Dr. Baba Adhav, Senior Union Leader expressed his disappointment, ‘Even after frequent discussions about waste pickers’ livelihoods and their environmental and economic contribution towards the city with leaders from all political parties, PMC’s decision of one-year temporary extension and proposition of private contractor system is hurtful. No one can deny the contribution of SWaCH waste pickers in the Swachh Survekshan national award the city recently received. With broken promises, we now feel betrayed. This is an attempt at moral discouragement. I appeal to the citizens that they should treat this matter with utmost seriousness. We are going to take further steps with the vision to stop their horrific play with waste pickers’ lives.
“It is rather unfortunate that the general body of the Municipal Corporation has taken a decision to extend the contract with SWaCH only for ONE year. The SWaCH is an initiative to integrate the erstwhile unorganized ‘Ragpickers’ into a formalized group and given them a means of livelihood in a more dignified way.The initiative has been acclaimed and recognised internationally and nationally. As a Punekar I feel proud when it is often mentioned as a best practice in SWM even in the Parliament. Would it be ignorance, apathy or insensitivity to keep the sword hanging on the heads of thousands of members who collect our garbage house to house, each day come heat or rain. I wish good sense prevails and the members reconsider their decision and extend the contract for a longer term – pitfalls, if any, in the present system can always be addressed through dialogue”, said Vandana Chavan, MP, Rajyasabha.
Until a long term contract and other essential demands are not fulfilled, waste pickers will keep raising their voice and keep questioning 115 corporators who previously gave support in writing. Waste pickers will regularly reach out to 33 lakhs citizens with their concerns, SWaCH said.
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