Reports have been submitted to Youns Tazi, governor of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, highlighting the occupational hazards faced by workers in the city's waste sorting sector. The reports, which were submitted recently, revealed that three workers have died and over six have been injured in accidents at the public waste sorting site. The incidents have raised concerns about the working conditions and safety measures in place at the site.
The most recent fatal accident occurred last month when a worker was run over by a large truck. This incident has highlighted the risks faced by workers in the sector, who often work with inadequate safety equipment and in poor working conditions. The reports have called for urgent action to reorganize the sector and improve working conditions.
The waste sorting sector in Tangier plays a significant economic and environmental role, providing over 250 jobs within the public waste sorting site and around 500 more in the city's neighborhoods. The sector also recovers and recycles around 30 tons of materials daily, including plastic, cardboard, iron, and aluminum. The daily transactions related to this activity are estimated to be around 250,000 dirhams.
Despite its economic and environmental importance, the sector faces several challenges related to working conditions and regulation. The reports have noted that the methods used for collecting and sorting waste are often random and individual, with workers using donkey-drawn carts in city streets, causing traffic and urban planning issues.
The reports have also highlighted the need to reactivate the National Waste Management Strategy, which has a budget of over 40 billion dirhams and is supported by the World Bank. The strategy aims to improve waste management in Morocco and address the challenges faced by the sector.
Stakeholders are calling for a national discussion on a program to address the sector's shortcomings, focusing on professional organization, social protection, accident prevention, and environmental impact. The goal is to integrate the waste sorting sector into a comprehensive waste management system, ensuring workers' safety and the sector's future.
The situation in Tangier's waste sorting sector highlights the need for urgent action to address the challenges faced by workers and improve the sector's overall performance. The reports submitted to the governor have emphasized the importance of collaboration between stakeholders to find solutions and ensure a safer and more sustainable future for the sector.
Key points
- The waste sorting sector in Tangier provides over 750 jobs and recovers 30 tons of recyclable materials daily.
- The sector's daily transactions are estimated to be around 250,000 dirhams.
- The National Waste Management Strategy has a budget of over 40 billion dirhams.
