500 worker leaders representing more than 3.5 lakh waste collectors of Delhi met today on June 17, 2008 at the Constitution Club, Vithalbhai Patel house, under the banner of All India Kabadi )Garbage and Waste collectors) Mazdoor Mahasangh (AIKMM) in collaboration with Workers Solidarity Center (WSC) along with well wishers and supporters. The Convention was organised to protest against the move towards privatisation of Waste Collection and Recycling.
All gathered discussed and debated the fate of waste collectors in view of the announcement made by the MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) on May 25, 2008 to privatize waste collection by handing it over to private companies and MNC’s. This is inspite of the fact that the MCD saves Rs. 8 lakhs per day in transportation and personnel costs because the Kabadi workers do the job for free. They expressed grave concerns, that more than 3.5. lakh workers and around 18 lakh family members stand to loose their livelihood if the MCD succeeds in implementing its intention.
The Convention noted that in absence of any protective legislation to ensure continuing employment and lack of social security measures which will render us totally unemployed and homeless in the near future. The MCD has so far made no attempts to involve the affected workers and their representatives from AIKMM and other experts to discuss and debate alternative policies other than privatization.
Solidarity greetings and support to the struggles of Kabadi workers were also extended by Swapan Ganguly, General Secretary, Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity, Subhash Bhatnagar, Convener, Campaign for Unorganised Sector Workers Bill, Dunnu Roy, Hazard Center, Debinderji, Bal Vikas Dhara, Rameshji, SARTHAK, Dr. Bharat, Alliance for People’s Rights, Dharmendra, India-FDI Watch, and Dr. Rehman, V.V.Giri National Labour Institute.
All present at this gathering including well wishers, resolved and adopted the following demands with the intent to press for these demands aggressively and consistently till the MCD meets them.
Demands: 1. Ban privatization of waste collection starting with door to door collections 2. Ban entry of Private companies and MNC’s in Waste Management 3. Protect employment of existing waste collectors in door to door collection if a new system of waste collection has to be introduced 4. Formulate and adopt a Comprehensive Legislation (with comprehensive social security provisions including health and safety protections related to hazardous waste) for workers in the Un-organised sector along with Waste collectors 5. Discuss with AIKMM and formulate an alternative policy for Waste Collection and Management (as per the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court for SWM in year 2000) 6. To ensure direct control and participation of workers in the waste collection and management as opposed to private players ensuring “worker participation in management”. 7. To make appropriate legislative provisions for legalizing their work and all of the above 8. Right to Work and Right to Waste 9. Wherever lose of employment takes place, alternative employment by the MCD should be ensured
All gathered unanimously resolve to picket and protest enmasse in front of MCD on August 9, 2008 to press for our above mentioned demands.
Shashi Pandit,General Secretary
June 17, 2008
Organised by: All India Kabadi Mazdoor Mahasangh (9968413109) and Workers Solidarity Center (09824008950)