TUCP to Metrowaste: Ensure health, safety of garbage collectors

THE Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) and its political arm, TUCP party-list that currently has one seat in Congress, is calling on Metrowaste Solidwaste Management Corp. to provide adequate protection and ensure safe and healthy working condition for their workers.

TUCP party-list first nominee Roland de la Cruz said, “Workers engaged in garbage collection are exposed to health and safety hazards on a regular basis while performing an indispensable service to the city, thus adequate protection and decent working conditions for them and for all workers alike are non-negotiable.”

Metrowaste, the contractor that won the bidding for the privatization of garbage collection in Bacolod, started its operations last Friday after having been issued a “Notice to Proceed” last March 11.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia signed the notice to proceed after he was authorized by the City Council following its ratification of the contract.

A memorandum of agreement was entered into with Metrowaste president Jerry Ross Cheng and the same was ratified by the council.

De la Cruz pledged to push for “green and decent jobs” legislations if the TUCP party-list is given another chance to sit in Congress in the May 2013 elections.

“We will also push for the passage of the Magna Carta of the Informal Sector to ensure better protection for workers in informal employment-garbage collectors, junk shop workers, vendors, drivers, small farmers, and even domestic workers,” de la Cruz added.

De la Cruz is also deputy general secretary of the National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines, a founding member of the TUCP. (CNC). –Carla N. Canet, SUn Star