Waste Pickers Postpone Indefinite Protest as Pune Municipal Corporation Promises Review

Pune, 20th November 2023: An indefinite protest scheduled to begin on Monday against the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), addressing various issues and demands of waste pickers, has been temporarily suspended following a plea for seven days by the head of the solid waste management department. Harshad Barde, the Director of SWaCH Pune, expressed this decision as a gesture of humanity, with the hope that a resolution could be reached during the upcoming meeting.

Despite ongoing discussions and assurances of long-term improvements, PMC has continued to provide only short-term extensions, leading to frustration among waste pickers who have now resorted to protesting for their rights. SWaCH Pune and PMC have collaborated for 17 years, with 3,700 waste pickers collecting garbage daily for over 4 million residents. Even during the pandemic, these workers played a vital role in maintaining Pune’s cleanliness and safety.

SWaCH Pune representative Rani Shivsharan emphasized the continuous efforts of waste pickers and the overwhelming support received from 33 lakh citizens of Pune. In the last three years, less than 30 per cent of the contractually agreed equipment, such as buckets and pushcarts, has been provided to the employees, jeopardizing their health. While other organizations secure longer contracts, SWaCH Pune has only been offered agreements lasting two to three years, creating instability in the waste collection system.

Harshad Burde, Director of SWaCH Pune, urged, “In the last 3 years, less than 30 per cent of contract-fixed equipment, such as buckets and pushcarts, have been provided to employees. Due to this, the health of the employees is being threatened. Five to seven-year contracts are entered into with other organizations in the city, as well as with garbage truck service providers. Still, only a two to three-year agreement is being signed with SWaCH Pune. At least a five-year contract with SWaCH Pune is essential. The inclusion of new villages in PMC has led to a 50 per cent increase in assets. However, the number of employees given to SWaCH Pune has not been increased to that extent. This has created a strain on the waste collection system. PMC should consider our demands and proposals.”