MARGAO: Their fears have come true. The daily-wage workers engaged in handling the waste at the Sonsodo dump yard have been exposed to various infections and diseases on account of the pathetic state of affairs prevailing at the site.
An O Heraldo visit to the site on Monday revealed that nearly 30 daily-wage workers have contracted the infections and are suffering from diseases as they have been handling hazardous waste without gloves, masks and gumboots. All their pleas with regards to safety measures have fallen on deaf ears.
A majority of female workers are awaiting medical benefits under the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), despite working at the site for several years.
The workers were seen working without masks in stinking conditions. These workers have been pleading for a proper and clean place to have lunch here but to no avail. They are compelled to have their food sitting near a place where waste is dumped.
Speaking to O Heraldo on the condition of anonymity and with the fear of losing their jobs, these workers were literally seen crying for help with regards to solving their health issues.
After learning that a reporter was at the site, several came rushing with their grievances and showed the infected hands and legs on account of handling waste with bare hands.
“I am working here for the last few years. Visiting doctors has become a routine habit for me,” said a female worker.
“I had stopped coming to work on the advice of my doctor as my hands contracted the infection. The doctor has warned me of severe health issues if I continue to work at the site without safety measures. Left with no other option to earn a living, I am forced to work at the Sonsodo dump yard,” she complained.
“The hand gloves provided to us long back were of bad quality, and hence, were damaged within a few days. Now, many of us are using gloves made of clothes found inside the garbage bags,” the workers claimed.
It has been revealed that daily wage workers are not entitled for any leave, even if they fall sick.
“Our payment gets deducted if we go on leave. All of us are surprised to see that we are not being enrolled under the ESI scheme. We were assured that ESI identification cards will be issued to us after completing the required formalities. However, years have passed we have been deprived of the benefits,” complained a male worker.
Admitting that the workers had put forth their grievances with the council pertaining to no safety equipment, councillor Mahesh Amonkar said that the workers at Sonsoddo, besides a few engaged in lifting the waste, continue to suffer from the health issues.
“I remember recently a few workers had complained to chairperson Damodar Shirodkar and upon which the engineers concerned were instructed to provide all the necessary equipment to the workers,” he informed.
When contacted by O Heraldo, Municipal Engineer Manor Arsekar said that gloves and other necessary equipment are being provided to the workers at Sonsoddo at regular intervals.
At the same time, Sagar Gaonkar, Junior Engineer blamed the workers for not using the gloves and masks, despite providing them on time.
Reliable sources in the municipality said that the situations pertaining to the providing necessary and safety equipment have been prevailing for years. However, no seriousness towards the issue has now resulted in major health issues to the workers.
