ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: More than 560 child scavengers collect 28,000 kilogramme solid waste daily with an average of 50 kilograms from different roads, streets and houses in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. They earn Rs60 to 70 per day by selling used paper and other material to keep their body and soul together.

The federal and the provincial governments had in the past planned various projects for education, vocational training and socio-economic uplift of these working children, but nothing concrete was done in this regard.

According to an official report, Islamabad daily produces 425,000 tons of garbage while Rawalpindi produces 32,50,000 kilogrammes daily. The Tehsil Municipal Administration and the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board collect only 1,300,000 kilograms, which is just 40 per cent of the total generated waste, while the remaining quantity remains on the roads and the street that is main source of environmental pollution in the cities causing different diseases.

Out of total 3,675,000 kilograms of waste generated in the twin cities, these child scavengers collect 28,000 kilograms with an average of 50 kilogramme per scavenger a day.

When Dawn contacted these scavengers to know about their working conditions, income and problems, horrifying stories came into the knowledge. A total of fifteen scavengers were contacted.

These child scavengers termed garbage collection as the only source to win bread and butter for their families. They complained of unfavourable working conditions. Zulfiqar Khan, a twelve-year-old scavenger, said during the process of garbage collection they were often bit by rats creating serious health problems.

According to scavenger Waqar Ahmed, 14, belonging to NWFP, while scavenging they happen to touch poisonous materials, which create serious infections. He said not only they lacked easy access to medical facilities but also earned too little to purchase medicines. These children are prone to various physical hazards including getting hurt by broken glass, nails and other materials.

Khatoon Jan, a 14-year-old girl, said while collecting garbage they come across hospital waste like containers of blood and syringes, carcasses of animals and dead infants that is disgusting. Working in the scorching summers is another problem, she added.

Mukhtar Ahmed Khan, 14, said they sold their stuff to different contractors. He said there were four godowns at Kiani Bazaar, Rawalpindi, Pirwadhai and Sabzi Mandi, Islamabad. He complained of under-payment. “We collect garbage with an average of 50 kilogramme daily and get just 60 to 70 rupees in return.

Mohammad Akram, the contractor who purchases wastes from the scavengers, told this reporter that they gave daily wage and accommodation along with one-time meal.