The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has come under fire once again, this time for its blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of its workers. Sweepers and garbage collectors, the backbone of the city's waste management system, continue to work under deplorable conditions without access to essential safety gear. Despite the hazardous nature of their jobs, many of these workers are seen collecting waste without basic protective equipment such as gloves, boots, masks, or reflective jackets. The absence of even the most rudimentary tools has raised serious questions about the GMC’s competence and concern for the workers’ welfare.
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The issue of worker safety is not new. Across the city, sweepers and garbage collectors are forced to make do with inadequate and, at times, unsafe equipment. In many areas, the workers can be seen dragging thermocole boxes or using makeshift wooden pieces to pick up waste. According to workers, the only tool officially provided to them is a broomstick, which, in the eyes of the GMC, seems to be regarded as a significant achievement.
The GMC has been heavily criticised for its mismanagement of the city’s waste collection system, and its negligence towards its workers only adds to the growing list of grievances. Over the years, the Corporation has been unable to address several critical issues, including poor garbage disposal practices and the absence of a systematic waste segregation process. Now, their failure to provide basic safety gear and equipment to the ‘Safai Karamcharis’ has drawn ire from all quarters.
Speaking anonymously to GPlus, one garbage collector revealed the reality of their situation. “It was provided at the very beginning. But now, there’s no update whatsoever. We got used to it. At least we get the salary, though even that gets delayed at times.” This grim admission paints a clear picture of the dismal conditions in which these workers operate daily.
The GMC’s indifference to its workforce extends beyond safety gear. The basic tools required for efficient waste collection and transportation are sorely lacking. Most workers are not even given proper dustbins to wheel out garbage. Instead, they are forced to improvise with unsuitable materials. One worker was spotted dragging a thermocol box, while others use flat wooden pieces to pick up waste – a stark contrast to the modern waste management systems promised by the GMC.
When questioned about the situation, a GMC official, speaking to GPlus, offered a weak defence. “There were times when we provided them all the gears, but the workers were comfortable without it. And it was not a mandate. So, it was discontinued. Now we will have to manage the fund to provide the same.”
This explanation falls woefully short of addressing the issue. It is inconceivable that workers would voluntarily forgo safety equipment in favour of exposing themselves to hazardous materials daily. The GMC’s claim that safety gear was not a mandate is deeply troubling and highlights a complete disregard for the health and safety of its employees. Furthermore, the assertion that the Corporation will now need to "manage the fund" to provide the necessary equipment is a testament to the GMC’s poor financial planning and prioritisation.
The GMC’s inefficiency is not limited to its treatment of workers. The city’s waste collection system is riddled with violations. Large garbage trucks, often overloaded with waste, are seen transferring rubbish without proper covers, allowing garbage to spill out onto the streets. Smaller vehicles, many of which are operated without registration plates, further contribute to the chaotic state of waste collection in Guwahati.
The segregation of wet and dry waste, a practice that has been heavily emphasised as part of the city’s waste management plan, is rarely followed. Despite numerous public awareness campaigns and the installation of separate bins, many of the GMC’s collection vehicles indiscriminately mix waste. This lack of proper waste management increases the already dire condition of Guwahati’s drains and water bodies, which are regularly clogged with uncollected litter.
Residents of Guwahati are growing increasingly frustrated with the GMC’s lack of accountability. Despite paying hefty municipal taxes, many feel that their money is being misused or underutilised. The condition of the city’s waste management system, combined with the appalling treatment of workers, has raised eyebrows.
“The tax we pay is meant to improve the city’s infrastructure and services, but what do we get in return? Garbage-strewn streets and clogged drains,” said a concerned resident, who wished to remain anonymous. “The GMC’s incompetence is shocking, and it’s the workers and the public who suffer the consequences.”
This sentiment is shared by many across the city, with complaints about the GMC’s poor handling of waste and infrastructure management becoming more frequent. While the Corporation has occasionally tried to address these concerns through promises of improvement, the lack of tangible results has left citizens disillusioned.
The GMC’s continued neglect of both its workers and the city’s waste management system demands immediate action. The failure to provide essential safety gear to workers, combined with widespread violations in waste collection practices, highlights a critical need for reform. It is imperative that the GMC takes responsibility for its shortcomings and begins to prioritise the health, safety, and well-being of its workers.
Moreover, the Corporation must overhaul its waste management practices, ensuring proper waste segregation and compliance with existing laws regarding garbage transportation. Only through meaningful change can the GMC begin to address the growing discontent among Guwahati’s residents and restore confidence in its ability to manage the city effectively.
Until then, both the workers and the public will continue to bear the brunt of the GMC’s incompetence and mismanagement.
