Women Labourers Out of Work Again a Few Days Before Christmas
Agroup of women labourers who depend on the Vunato Dump Site for their daily income were disappointed that it was once again set on fire.
According to one of the oldest members of the Collection Pillar Recycle (CPR) 20-member group, 64-year-old Asinate Lewabeka, the fire at the dumpsite started on Wednesday.
The CPR group were previously known as the waste pickers group.
Ms Lewabeka has been working at the dumpsite for more than 22 years.
She said the dumpsite had been set on fire a number of times this year.
“When the dumpsite is set on fire, we are without work and that is our only source of income,” said Ms Lewabeka.
“We are disappointed that this has happened again, especially a few days before Christmas.”
She said the women would now wait for the Lautoka City Council (LCC) to give the green light when it was safe for them to head back to the site for work.
The women earn a little over a $100 a week from working at the site.
Lautoka City Council chief executive officer, Mohammed Anees Khan, highlighted that the council does not use fire to clear piles of rubbish.
Mr Khan said the council uses an open aerobic and evaporation or decomposition method for the management of the landfill site.
“All fires at the Vunato Landfill Site had been caused by arson and
Police have been informed of the same,” he said.
“It is rather unfortunate that inconsiderate behaviour of some individuals are causing discomfort and health hazard to the residents.
“It also causes frustration to the council and its workers, who have to leave their usual jobs to fight the fire and clear the smoke.”
He said the council advised the residents to keep their homes well ventilated as the smoke cover shifts with the change in wind direction. Edited by Jonathan Bryce