Pune: Waste Pickers Protest In Rain Against PMC; Demands To Fulfill Needs

Pune, 31st August 2024: Although the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to enter into an agreement with SWaCH for five years from 2024 to 2029 for door-to-door garbage collection, the agreement has not been signed even after several weeks, workers protested in front of the PMC building in heavy rain for other demands, including raincoats and other materials.

For the last three to four years, the PMC has entered into a one-year, six-month contract with the organization instead of a long-term contract. Due to this, there was a fear among the waste pickers that the work would be taken away from the organization.

However, after several rounds of discussions with the administration of SWaCH, it was decided to agree for five years. It was approved by the Standing Committee, the General Body, but even after six months, the agreement has not yet been signed.

The agreement also contains onerous conditions such as sacking the waste picker after not performing well, and withdrawing the work of the organization from the area in case of repeated mistakes. Waste pickers, while opposing the same, held a protest before the PMC today demanding their needs.

Senior social worker Dr Baba Adhav, City President of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-Sharad Chandra Pawar Party) Prashant Jagtap, Swachh Sanstha President Suman More, Member Rani Shivsharan, Vidya Naiknavare along with women waste pickers were present for the same.

While protesting, the waste pickers stated that even after the PMC approved the five-year contract six months ago, there has been no progress. Instead of solving the problems, the PMC is giving preference to private contractors. “We go to 10 lakh houses to collect waste, these conditions are an insult to the waste pickers,” said the workers.

Dr Rajendra Bhosale, Commissioner, PMC informed that the work of the SWaCH is progressing well, and the agreement with them will be done within 15 days.