The Coimbatore City Corporation will be issuing Identity cards to all the informal waste pickers in the city, said Special Officer, Vijayakarthikeyan. Speaking on these lines, he said, 'The rag pickers play a crucial role in segregating the wastes from the landfills and re-routing them to the Vellalore dump yard.
At present, they earn a reasonable amount of money through depositing the wastes at the dump yard for money. Based on the value of the wastes, they would be paid. Hence, they mainly concentrate on collecting wastes that could fetch them more money. To provide them a feeling of recognition as a work force and ensure their safety, ID cards would be provided to each one of them working at all 100 wards. CCMC has joined hands with Clean India to initiate this project.
Public and residents would treat them better when they possess ID cards. As these workers are prone to more infections and health problems, CCMC would arrange for an inclusive health camp, shortly. And, awareness sessions would also be conducted to educate them on the hygiene part, especially the do's and don'ts'.
The waste pickers were issued ID cards at an event organized at the CCMC Office yesterday. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Gandhimathi and volunteers from Clean India were present during the event.