BANGALORE: It was like any other day. Padma amma of Doopanahalli, Indiranagar got up at 7.30 am to put her garbage bin out. She’s familiar with Sumatra, the lady who comes to pick up the garbage in the morning and occasionally chats.However, two days ago Padma witnessed skin lesions on Sumatra’s palm.She asked her why she didn’t wear gloves while picking the garbage, but Sumatra ignored the question. Further when Padma asked about the skin lesions, Sumatra did not bother replying.“The garbage consists of all kinds of disposed waste objects. When these collectors expose themselves to the garbage, it is sure to spread infections. You never know how a body will react. I see this lady everyday collecting garbage with bear hands. I have asked her several times to wear gloves and then handle the garbage, but she would not listen. Now that she has developed the skin lesion, I do not know what is she going to do,” said a concerned Padma.There are many like Sumatra who work as garbage collectors in the city.Geared with a dustbin cart Sumatra’s job is to collect the garbage from the residents, and deposit the collection at the nearest dump. But the work for these collectors does not end here. From these dumps, the collectors pick the garbage, dump them onto the truck which is further taken to the garbage dumping sites outside the city. For the protection of these collectors, through a contractor that the BBMP assigns in different areas of the city, a kit is provided which includes a uniform, a head gear, shoes, gloves and a smart card (health reasons) .However, most of these collectors refuse to wear the gloves, uniform and foot wear. While handling the garbage their skin gets exposed to bacteria and other virus which results in skin lesions and diseases. Most of them do not know why the kit has been provided. For others, to wear the protection gloves and accessories is a waste of time. For some it’s uncomfortable while many also sell the kit for money.Vinaya who collects garbage everyday from the residents of Koramangala, 6th block said, “I do not want to wear it. It is easier for me to collect the garbage with my hands and put it in the dustbins.Nothing will happen to me. I am very strong. I have been doing this for many months now.” When asked about the issue to the Mayor, Sharadamma, she said, “I don’t think that the protective gear has been given to the people ever since I have become the Mayor.However, I would want to implement the same in the future when this topic would be discussed. I would request these people to please wear the gloves while handling the garbage.” Sumatra who has been suffering from skin lesions and still refuses to wear the gloves, uniform and the boots, said, “The skin problems are not because of the garbage, but because I live in a bad house. There are many mosquitoes and insects there because of which I have developed this problem.” She further refused to talk on the issue.With little awareness about the diseases and threat to the body when exposed to the garbage, the collectors continue to work without any protection. Speaking on the issue the Deputy Mayor Sri S Harish said, “The existing tender which was taken three and a half years ago approximately has expired and we will be imposing a new tender by the end of this month, in which all these points will be highlighted.The reason why these people are ignorant is they won’t do anything by themselves.They need to be pushed and forced.” Hence, one of the main criteria in the new tender will be to address the issue of their health, safety, salary and their well-being. We are further planning to engage an NGO that will be educating these people on handling the garbage in the right manner, about protecting themselves from diseases and creating awareness. But I will maintain that the current state of these people being ignorant and many of them not wearing the protective gear is because the tender has expired and the contractors are not taking care of them.In a month’s time everything will be fine.”
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