Pacific Recycling Foundation joined around 300,000 demonstrators in a march in Argentina to mark International Workers’ Day and as a tribute to workers from informal sectors and independent workers.
PRF says they stand firm in its commitment to advocate for the cause and amplify the voices of those in the informal sector, particularly Collection Pillars of Recycling.
They say this huge gathering of demonstrators also marked the commencement of the 1st Congress of the International Alliance of Waste Pickers.
PRF says this day holds significance as millions worldwide commemorate the martyrs of Chicago, who were executed in 1886 by the police during a mobilisation advocating for an 8-hour workday.
PRF Founder Amitesh Deo says the PRF team not only represented Fiji but the entire Pacific region in the march, celebrating the achievements of workers and advocating for their rights to dignity, fair pay, and improved working conditions.
He says on International Workers’ Day, they stand in solidarity with those operating in what is often labelled as the informal sector.
He is urging governments, the private sector and organisations and communities to join their mission in ensuring dignity for those engaged in this space, such as Collection Pillars of Recycling.
Deo also stressed on the need for the society to reflect on the discrimination faced by informal sector workers simply due to their classification.
He says progressive countries acknowledge these workers as essential contributors, thereby eliminating discrimination and marginalisation.
The PRF founder says they work closely with CPR, who encounter significant challenges daily without access to basic amenities like water, washroom facilities, or a suitable space for breaks.
He recounted an instance where a CPR seeking medical attention was questioned by a doctor about her hygiene before coming to the medical facility, simply because she had been collecting recyclables from a dumpsite.
Deo adds together, we can build a world where informal sector workers are recognised and celebrated for their invaluable contributions to their countries and the environment.
