Waste pickers in Bogota protested at Bolivar Square, dumping 15 tons of recyclables to demonstrate against falling wages and poor working conditions. Organized by local associations, the protest highlighted their struggles with decreased compensation and competition from Venezuelan migrants. They demand fair payment from factories and seek improved government support amid these challenges.
In a dramatic protest against declining wages and worsening working conditions, around 100 Colombian waste pickers gathered at Bogota’s Bolivar Square on Tuesday, dumping approximately 15 tons of recyclable materials. This demonstration was organized by a coalition of 14 waste picker associations. The waste pickers, who tirelessly scour homes and businesses for recyclables to sell, are urging much-needed change in an industry that is becoming increasingly difficult to navigate.
The protest underscores the struggles faced by nearly 20,000 waste pickers in Bogota, who rely heavily on the resale of plastic bottles, cardboard, and scrap metal. During the demonstration, some participants even mimicked swimming through the heaps of trash to highlight their plight. Nohra Padilla, president of the National Association of Waste Pickers in Colombia, emphasized, “We want factories to pay us a fair price for the materials we collect.” She also pointed out the essential role waste pickers play in keeping landfills from overflowing.
Most waste pickers operate independently, using carts to collect recyclables that municipal garbage trucks overlook, focusing primarily on non-recyclables and organic material. Jorge Ospina, leading the ARAUS waste pickers association, reported a troubling price drop for recyclables, noting that the value of plastic has plummeted from 75 cents per kilogram to just 50 cents over the last couple of months, forcing him to offer waste pickers a mere 25 cents.
Ospina speculates that an influx of imported plastics from countries like China may be influencing these reduced prices. “We need more government regulation,” he warned, cautioning that continued price drops could disincentivize collectors from gathering recyclables, thus exacerbating Colombia’s landfill crisis.
According to Colombian law, waste pickers are afforded certain protections, including priority over large contractors for the collection of recyclables. Municipal governments are also required to pay waste picker associations a monthly fee based on the quantity of recyclable materials collected. Nevertheless, volatile pricing and rising competition, particularly from Venezuelan migrants taking on similar roles, further complicate the landscape for these laborers.
Typically, waste pickers in Colombia earn less than the national minimum wage, which stands at $350 a month. This financial reality emphasizes the need for immediate action and support for these undervalued workers who play a crucial role in Bogota’s waste management system
The protest at Bolivar Square showcased the ongoing difficulties faced by Colombian waste pickers, who are battling falling wages and harsh competition. Their essential contributions to recycling and waste management are at risk if conditions do not improve. With government intervention and fair pricing critical, the livelihood of these workers hangs in the balance as they continue their fight for equitable compensation and recognition.
Original Source: www.newsday.com
