Byo NGO calls for recognition of waste pickers
Delight Sibanda
BULAWAYO-Matabeleland Institute for Human rights (MIHR) has called on various stakeholders to recognise waste pickers as contributors to the development of the country.
The NGO made the call on the 1st of May as it joined the world in commemorating the 2022 International Waste Pickers Day. Waste pickers are people who pick reusable or recyclable materials thrown away by others to sell or for personal consumption.
“We call on the government of Zimbabwe to recognize waste pickers as informal workers who are not only contributing to environmental justice but also to the economic development of Zimbabwe,” MIHR said.
In addition to the recognition of waste pickers, the MIHR wants the government to provide funds to enhance the waste picking enterprise.
The organisation noted the “unfair discrimination and failure to access local authorities,” as it urged the Bulawayo City Council and all local authorities in Zimbabwe to change their local authority by-laws and policies in order to ease waste picking operations.
Turning to the business community, MIHR urged business owners to review their waste pricing and pay waste pickers better to match the time and labour involved in the waste picking.
The MIHR is running a project to empower female waste pickers to challenge gender based violence norms and practices , claim their rights and access economic opportunities.
