Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) hires sanitation workers on a daily wage basis. These workers typically earn a monthly salary of around 17,000 to 18,000 BDT. Even though these positions are temporary, a lot of workers obtain these jobs by paying hefty bribes. It’s mainly because workers can receive a monthly salary without even working a single day. A large-scale business also exists in recruiting substitute workers ( i.e. one person working in place of another). It is also reported that significant financial transactions had taken place in the past when it came to recruiting sanitation workers and sanitation inspectors.
Through investigations, it has been found that almost every year Dhaka South City Corporation hires workers for various tasks like mosquito control and sanitation work on a daily wage basis. Unskilled workers earn 575 BDT per day and skilled workers earn 600 BDT per day, leading to a monthly salary of almost 17,000 to 18,000 BDT. Even though the salary is low, there is intense competition among applicants for these jobs, especially in the waste management department. So despite the low salary and the job being temporary, a massive illegal recruiting process takes place, where workers pay between 400,000 and 500,000 BDT to secure these positions. These payments are collected by a syndicate involving the Scavengers' Union and local councilors.
Sanitation workers who work in various wards of the waste management department spoke with this reporter. Requesting anonymity, some of these workers said that there is a syndicate in place. Furthermore, they also revealed that from the Chief Waste Management Officer the sanitary inspectors, almost all of them are part of this syndicate. This syndicate collects monthly "hush money" from the workers. Some sanitary inspectors are also involved in the transfer business, according to their claims.
When asked about paying large bribes for such low-paying, temporary jobs, the workers explained that both skilled and unskilled workers are hired on a daily wage basis for tasks like cleaning streets, drains, and canals. They don’t work for long. These workers typically work for only three to four hours, even though they are supposed to work for eight hours. Many workers also work at other government departments. Some work for three to four hours and then go on to other jobs, while others send replacements to do their work. Moreover, many workers manage to avoid coming to work for months by bribing officials but still collect their full salary. Half of the salary is reportedly taken by the sanitary inspectors.
There is also a major business in recruiting substitute or “THIKA” workers (hiring others to work in place of the actual employee), for which bribes of 300,000 to 500,000 BDT are taken. Officials, the Scavengers' Union, and the inspector syndicate are all said to be involved in this scheme.
Mohammad Nasim Ahmed, Chief Waste Management Officer of DSCC, said that they are aware of the irregularities. After an investigation, proper steps will be taken.
bd-pratidin/Rafid
