HRF Opposes Privatisation of Swachh Auto Garbage Collection, Seeks Protection for 15,000 Workers
The forum estimated that workers now own nearly 10,000 autos, trollies and other vehicles.
Hyderabad:The Human Rights Forum (HRF) on Monday asked the state government to stop any move to hand over Hyderabad’s Swachh auto, tipper and rrolley garbage collection system to a private company and sought protection of the livelihoods and social security of 15,000 workers who depend on the work.
The HRF said the decentralised garbage collection system had operated in the city for about two decades. According to the forum, the previous BRS government provided around 4,750 garbage transport vehicles on subsidy to workers from Dalit and Backward Classes communities, while workers later acquired more vehicles using their own money.
The forum estimated that workers now own nearly 10,000 autos, trollies and other vehicles. They collect waste from homes, shops, hotels and other establishments and transport it to locations designated by the GHMC.
According to HRF, Ramky-operated vehicles currently transport garbage from these locations to the Jawaharnagar dumping yard. “It would be highly unjust to undermine the livelihoods of workers engaged in essential public services such as public health and sanitation in the name of privatisation,” HRF said. The forum also sought health and accident insurance, pensions and other social-security benefits for the workers.