Collection Pillars of recycling continue to get harassed and mistreated by some in authority- Deo

Collection Pillars of Recycling who are involved in waste picking continue to get harassed, verbally abused, mistreated by some higher authority and told to hide or disappear when certain high-ranking figures, such as Government Ministers are visiting dumpsites and other locations where collection pillars are collecting recyclables.

This has been revealed by the Founder of the Pacific Recycling Foundation, Amitesh Deo following their mapping exercise of the waste collection sector.

Deo says while some municipal councils have created a very welcoming and warm environment for those involved in waste picking, some officials are sometimes harsh, verbally abusive, and demand money from the CPRs.

He says that challenges like these need better understanding and support for the collection pillars' rights and dignity in their essential role in waste management.

He adds in an incident earlier this year a CPR and his colleagues were told by the staff of a municipal council to hide in the bushes as a government minister was visiting the municipality.

The Founder says they were told to only come back when the Minister was gone however, there was also a fear that the waste-picking community could reveal to the Minister about their daily struggles and challenges with the municipal staff.

Deo says looking at the issue and the previous experiences, CPRs are being subjected to such treatment as they are seen as a group of people who are not good enough or credible to be meeting people such as Ministers.

He says another major finding in the Mapping Exercise was that collection fees are a significant concern for CPRs in Fiji, especially when accessing dumpsites in some municipalities as CPRs are required to show a receipt and the monthly fee varies based on the type of waste they collect which range from $12.00 to $25.00.

Deo says this is adding to the financial burden faced by CPRs and these collection fees can significantly impact the livelihoods of CPR.

He also says there are still certain limitations imposed on CPRs who are receiving Social Welfare assistance as they are not allowed to access certain dumpsites, further restricting their means of livelihood and independence.

Deo stresses that it is important to note that these challenges do not apply to all municipal councils while some CPRs face mistreatment and harassment from the staff of certain municipalities which does not reflect the attitude or ethical alignments of all municipal councils.

He says the Women CPRs in one municipality are called by their names to ensure the council workers know who they are as this municipal council registers the CPRs, allows them to use the washroom and water facilities, provides them with PPEs, and does not charge them any fees.

The Founder says they will continue to work with municipal councils around the country to change their mindset and behaviour towards CPRs and help them understand and appreciate the critical work CPRs do to retrieve recyclables from dumpsites and the environment, which helps in combating climate change.

The PRF’s Founder said more such findings will be revealed in the PRF’s Mapping Exercise Report which will be launched in September 2023, where they will also reveal plans on how the Foundation aims to provide structured support to these individuals which has been done in partnership with Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO) and through the support of partners such as Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, Asco Motors, and Tourism Fiji.