THEGOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
The200-odd strong army of Margao Municipal Council sanitation receivedprotective safety kits, including gloves, masks and sanitisers fromthe Gujarati Samaj Educational Trust, which imparts education for thespecial children.
Whilethese sanitation workers were the recipients of the Samaj'sbenevolence, will the civic body now ensure that the field workers
engagedby the contractors to carry out door-to-door waste collection alsoget safety kits to protect their health as well as that of thecitizens?
Thisquestion assumes significance as civic officials assert that theworkers engaged for door-to-door waste collection are theresponsibility of the labour contractors.
Sources,however, say that one cannot ignore the fact that these door-to-doorgarbage collection workers are working for the civic body through thecontractors. They collect waste from the doorsteps of thousands ofhouseholds every day.
Takenote, many of those in door-to-door waste collection arewearing masks and gloves, but these are in need of replacementbecause of the wear and tear and the workers may come in harm's waydue to Covid-19. Some of these door-to-door waste collectors do notuse these safety gears and there’s no one around to insist thatthey do.
WhenThe Goan called up Margao Municipal Council Chief OfficerAjitPanchwadkar, he said the responsibility of looking after thesafety of
theseworkers primarily rests with the contractors. He, however, hastenedto add that the civic body would insist that the labour contractorsput their acts together and ensure they comply with the safetyguidelines.
“Themunicipality pays lakhs of rupees to these contractors for wastecollection. It is also their responsibility to ensure these workersget the safety kits,” Panchwadkar said while promising to take upthe matter the contractors.
Whileofficials have recommended protective gowns for workers handlingwaste generated at the quarantine centres, the MMC Chief Officer saidthey have been provided with gowns, masks, gloves and gumboots as amatter of abundant precaution.
