Thirteen private companies specializing in household waste collection, engaged by the Bejaia Communal People's Assembly (APC) during the previous term, gathered in front of the wilaya headquarters to demand regularization of their financial situation. These companies, which employ around 100 workers, were hired to supplement the Communal Regie in collecting waste across various neighborhoods of the commune. The companies have not received payment for over a year and a half, and their owners are struggling to make ends meet.
The companies, each employing between five to ten workers, claim they have not received payment for services rendered in 2017 and 2018. Their owners expressed frustration, stating they have been made to run between different services without resolving their issue. They emphasized the urgent need for payment to support their families. One company owner noted that despite their efforts to sustain their businesses, their situation has become untenable, and they risk bankruptcy.
The protesters were received by the Secretary-General of the Bejaia wilaya, in the presence of the daïra chief and the mayor. After the meeting, the company owners seemed reassured that their concerns would be addressed. One owner expressed hope that the wali would intervene on their behalf, leading to swift regularization of their situation. The issue appears to be linked to the absence of official contracts or documents when the companies were engaged by the previous APC.
Saci Seghir, head of the hygiene and environment service at Bejaia's APC, assured that the problem would be resolved soon. He stated that the APC had made an appeal to these companies during difficult times, and they had indeed worked to collect waste. The APC has committed to addressing their claims, with regularization expected in the coming days. However, the exact timeline and details of the solution remain unclear.
According to a source familiar with the matter, an administrative issue is at the root of the non-payment. The companies were engaged by the previous APC without formal contracts or official documents. They responded to the call to support the commune's waste collection efforts, as the number of municipal sanitation workers was insufficient. This lack of formal agreements has contributed to the current payment dispute.
In 2017, the APC decided to engage private companies to manage waste collection effectively, as the commune faced issues with cleanliness and the APC's hygiene services were overwhelmed. The use of private companies for better waste management remains a viable solution for Bejaia's APC, given the delays in implementing a project for the Epic (Etablissement public à caractère industriel et commercial) to take over waste collection.
The outcome of the meeting between the company owners and the APC officials offers hope for a resolution to the payment dispute. The companies' regularization is expected to happen soon, which would alleviate the financial struggles faced by their owners and employees. This development highlights the complexities of waste management in Bejaia and the need for effective solutions to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for residents.
Key points
- Thirteen private companies in Bejaia demand payment for waste management services provided in 2017 and 2018.
- The companies, employing around 100 workers, have not received payment for over a year and a half.
- The APC has committed to addressing the companies' claims, with regularization expected in the coming days.
