“Kashtakari Panchayat” is providing free PPE kits and ration to waste pickers so they can work safely

Image credit- Aditi Dikey

“Kashtakari Panchayat” (KPT) has been working to support waste pickers and their families in Pune, India since 2010. “Kashtakari  Panchayat” is a Hindi word which means “justice council of labourers” - true to its name, the organization sought to and continues to follow the route of demanding rights and entitlements of the waste pickers from civic, municipal, and government authorities. Their main focus during the COVID-19 lockdown has been to ensure that the waste pickers are able to access essential consumables (such as rations) and personal protective equipment (PPE) kits so that they may work with a reduced rate of infection and transmission.

“KPT envisions a world that is non-discriminatory, socially just, economically equitable, environmentally sustainable, culturally plural, and democratic, where diversity is valued.”  Along with providing basic needs to their workers and fighting for their rights, KPT also organizes recreational activities for them and their children, such as youth fairs, vocational training, sports activities, workshops, seminars, and innovative research programs for sustainable development.

During this battle against coronavirus, frontline workers have become more precarious and vulnerable. At these times of crisis, it is these workers, especially waste pickers - who ensure towns and cities are clean and garbage-free - who are most likely to be left without income. Hence KPT aims to provide essentials (like grains, pulses, oils, sugar and tea) and safety kits (consisting of masks, gloves, soaps and sanitizers). So far the organization has reached out to approximately 11,000 waste pickers.

Image credit- Aditi Dikey

This mission was started by Ms Lakshmi Narayan and Ms Poornima Chikarmani. “It was necessary because most workers supplement their income by selling scrap. But these shops are shut in the ongoing lockdown. The salary from the government is also most likely going to be delayed, which has made their income highly uncertain,” said Ms Narayan.

Such an initiative requires a lot of hard work. While interviewing one of the members of KPT, Ms Aditi Dikey, I got to know how determined they are towards helping frontline workers. She told me that “[KPT] has widened the scope of their intervention recently by doing direct cash transfer to waste pickers’ accounts to help them tide over this situation.” They aim to put food on their tables in these challenging times so that they continue to eke out decent survival. She informed me that they have been able to provide 7500 waste pickers with rations and 3500 waste pickers with PPE kits and cash transfers worth INR 1500. Despite being extremely busy with the organization, she replied with utmost politeness to all my questions.

KPT has multiple routes of raising funds, including appealing to local citizens who receive services from waste pickers, approaching CSRs to fund specific projects, and applying to foundations and grant-making agencies that fund development projects for marginalized groups.

KPT is accepting donations to raise funds to accomplish this mission of providing essentials to waste pickers. They have summarized INR 2227 as the cost for one month per waste picker to supply with a “PPE + Ration Kit”. Foreign donations are also accepted. KPT is quick to note that “even a small amount can put a day’s food on their plate”.

Image credit- Aditi Dikey

Thank you to Ms Narayan and her team for starting such a great initiative to help frontline workers through these uncertain times. KPT appeals: “while the entire nation is at home during this lockdown due to COVID-19, the waste pickers are still providing services and maintaining the city’s health and hygiene. Support them in maintaining theirs.” 

If you would like to donate to Kashtakari Panchayat, visit https://kashtakaripanchayat.org/