Martha Taumata Faavae
Collecting rubbish is a health risk job and this must be addressed.
This was the call by the new Member of Parliament for the Va’a o Fonoti Constituency Mau’u Siaosi Pu’epu’emai in his maiden speech in Parliament during the week.
Mau’u said that the health of these workers is at risk in doing their job and something must be done so that they can work safely in a healthy environment.
This situation Mau’u said has always been a concern to him.
“ These workers stand in the rear of the truck and they inhale the foul smelling air from the rubbish all the time,” Mau’u said.
“ The impact on them is very concerning.”
Mau’u suggested that this is a matter that should be raised with the people who run the garbage collecting businesses.
They must put in place protective measures so that workers could be safe and their health must be a priority.
The Member of Parliament added that improving health conditions in the work of the rubbish collectors will be very much in line with the priority government puts on health.
Mauu said that other areas such as salary is not a matter of concern because the wage scale for this kind of work is already set.
He added that he knows that this type of business is not easy to run but the health of these people are at risk and it is important that they remain healthy so that they do their work all the time.