Congress has been urged to draft a Magna Carta for waste workers and dump pickers (garbage collectors and those involved in sanitation) that would spell out their rights, their pay and allowances (including hazard pay) and other privileges they continue to be deprived of these days.
In a press conference held in Quezon City Tuesday, June 11, founding president Aloja Santos of the Philippine National Waste Workers Alliance (PNWWA) and the Dumaguete Women Waste Workers Association (DWWWA) highlighted the indispensable work of waste workers and pickers during times of climate crisis and global warming.
She called on Congress for just compensation and social benefits and protection “because we provide essential services to society. We are as deserving of such benefits and protection as any other worker, perhaps even more so. Without us, society will not function efficiently,” she stressed.
PNWWA is a coalition of 12 waste worker groups representing thousands all over the country. They work even in the harshest weather and in dirtiest surroundings, thereby being exposed to all kinds risk (from tin cans and bottles) and health hazards (manure from animals and other toxic wastes).
In February, during a national consultation with waste workers organized by Mother Earth Foundation (MEF), supported by the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) Asia Pacific, led to the establishment of PNWWA.
The national group enumerated the following priorities for consideration in a proposed law:
· Enforcement of Labor Standards;
· Hazard Pay;
· Health Insurance and Services;
· Humane and Safe Working Conditions;
· Job Security; Just Compensation;
· Meaningful Participation in Policy Spaces;
· Right to Organize;
· Social Benefits and Protection and
· Training
After consultation with the stakeholders, the PNWWA presented the proposed Magna Carta to Sen. Loren Legarda, being the author and principal sponsor of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
Legarda with her legal team studied the proposed piece of legislation and filed the bill on April 17, 2024. The bill is now pending in the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development.
“I acknowledge the validity of the demands of the waste workers—their call for fair treatment, job security, and access to essential services resonates deeply with the principles of justice and equity. These are valid concerns that warrant attention and action, and I am committed to working collaboratively in finding solutions that ensure a just transition for all,” Legarda said in a press statement.
Lawyer Christopher John C. Menguito, managing trustee of the Philippine Earth Justice Center explained the importance of integrating these solutions into the law through Magna Carta as he said, “The purpose of the law is to make the lives of the people better.”
In Metro Manila alone, waste generation contributes 22.2 percent, 24.5 percent, and 26.7 percent to the Philippines’ solid waste in 2010, 2014 and 2020, respectively. The huge solid waste management challenge emphasizes the vital role of waste workers wield towards ensuring a sustainable and waste-free future.
From composting to diverting reusable materials away from landfills, they play a vital part in waste management and recycling, offering practical and cost-effective solutions to address both waste and climate issues, Business Mirror reported.
“This moment underscores the importance of recognizing waste workers and waste pickers as frontline environmental defenders. We must prioritize their rights and ensure they have full labor protections under the law. This commitment sets the foundation for collaborative advocacy, fostering a truly inclusive and just transition, said Sonia Mendoza, chairperson of the Mother Earth Foundation.
“The Magna Carta for Waste Workers is a powerful tool in fostering significant change not only in the Philippines but for the whole Southeast Asian region. Waste workers and waste pickers are claiming their rights, making their voices heard and their presence felt,” Mendoza added
She stressed that their desire and determination to be part of the process are crucial in the shift towards a sustainable waste management system.
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