KUCHING, Jan 6: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Public Complaints Bureau has appealed to Kuching South City Council (MBKS) to allow scavenging workers at the BDC Recycling centre to continue their operations.
Bureau chief Wilfred Yap said the scavengers earned their meager livelihood at the recycling centre and that was their only source of income to support their families.
“I was informed that the five scavengers were informed that their services will be terminated by MBKS after seven years of operating at the recycling centre.
“Following their request for assistance, SUPP Public Complaints Bureau has appealed on behalf of the scavenger workers on a humanitarian basis and natural justice to be allowed to continue to operate at BDC Recycling Centre.
“This to enable them to earn their meager livelihood to support their families and not push them into a desperate situation with the loss of their only source of income,” he said in a press statement.
According to Yap, the give individuals were first given permission by MBKS to separate discarded clothing and other items by the public for recycling purposes.
He said not all the clothing or items discarded by the public at the BDC Recycling Centre were recyclable and their income came from the sale of clothing and items that they had separated and sorted out, as MBKS does not pay them daily or monthly salary.
“The predicament that the scavenging workers are currently facing have also been communicated to the Ministry of Local Government and Housing and the Chief Minister’s Office,” he added.
Yap expressed hope that MBKS would evaluate, prioritise and enhanced their policies on assisting the poor by empowering them to improve their access to livelihood or employment opportunities.
”SUPP Public Complaints Bureau is always ready to highlight and try to resolve issues of public interest affecting the community through the relevant authorities.
“The bureau is also ever ready to lend a helping hand to anyone facing problems or who come across problems of public interest but does not know how to deal with it,” he said.
Anyone requiring assistance can contact SUPP Public Complaints Bureau at 016-7797688 or 082-246999, or go direct to SUPP Head Office. — DayakDaily
