“Elderly persons working as sanitary labourers is not acceptable”: Faiszer

Addressing the gathering at a meeting held at the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government on ‘Proper Disposal of Garbage’, Minister Faiszer Musthapha said that elderly people working as sanitary labourers, is not acceptable. Even if there are such employees due to their economic problems, they should be given proper honour for their employment. Minister Faiszer Musthapha decided this after observing a very old lady old who was doing sanitary cleaning, during an inspection in Colombo district to observe the ways of collecting garbage. 

Abans, a private institution that collects garbage, using a presentation explained the ways in which the environment is polluted from domestic waste and irresponsible placing of garbage in public places.  

Minister Musthapha said that it is necessary to take stern decisions in order to change the attitude of the people. Hence, the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government together with the Colombo Municipal Council, Abans and Care Cleaning, decided to develop commercials to make aware to the general public about the legal actions that would be taken against those who break the law by improper ways of disposing garbage.  

Minister also said that it is necessary to pay attention towards the welfare of the sanitary labourers and that it is a must for them to wear standard uniforms, gloves, boots and masks. He added that if needed provisions can be allocated by his Ministry in this regard. 

Minister Faiszer Musthapha also discussed with the relevant private institutions to offer necessary salary increments for the sanitary labourers. He emphasised that he will always be dedicated for the welfare of these labourers as a public representative. 

During the presentation, it was pointed out that there are types of polythene which cannot be recycled and the Minister said that steps will be taken immediately to ban usage of these types of polythene.

He also said that the Environmental Police and the private institutions that collect garbage can work together in order to make these efforts a success.

The discussion was held under the patronage of the Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Faiszer Musthapha, Municipal Commissioners of Colombo and Kaduwela Municipal Councils and officers, Environmental Police, Tri Forces and private institutions that collect garbage attended it.