To :
The Indonesian waste pickers
Our heart goes out to you in prayer and anguish as we hear about the harsh and shocking decision made by the government of Indonesia to shut down 343 landfills threatening the livelihoods of thousands of of waste pickers and their families, it is distressing to see the level of undermining of the existence of waste pickers.
As governments continue to make decisions that have brutal consequences in our lives, the African Reclaimers organization stands in solidarity with all the workers in Indonesia affected.
The African Reclaimers Organization has continuously emphasized solidarity and collective action to fighting discrimination of waste pickers. This New crisis, which can be considered as one of the harshest in Morden time, in Times where we as waste pickers are invisible, we need to convey a message to global leaders and civil society to recognize us and put an end to this action.
In this moment of crisis, we are conscious at the magnitude of fears, burdens and risks we are facing as this action against waste pickers is a shared concern with all waste pickers globally. Collective responsibility and action towards salvation, international engagement and participation to understand the crisis and identify ways of overcoming this threat despite of contexts.
Closure of dumpsites without consultation threatens our lives. We realize that we play a significant role in the value chain and a crucial role in saving the environment. We have the right to work, the right to feed our families and the right to live. This message is a reminder to ourselves to hold strongly to our values, it’s time to share our experiences, it’s time to organize without fear it’s time to share awarenesses and develop together, it’s time for ideas, support and solidarity, a time to build together.
This is the time that we need to cooperate together and to evolve together in order to survive, it’s time for a peaceful method of resistance and a call upon governments and industries to engage waste pickers before making decisions which have unintended consequences.
Aluta continua
Luyanda Hlatshwayo
African Reclaimers organization
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