The lack of resources and workplace safety in Cuba has been highlighted in a video showing Havana sanitation workers collecting trash without gloves or other protective gear. The video was filmed at the intersection of 15th Street and L and M Streets in Vedado, where large dumpsters are located.
According to a local resident who reported the issue, the area not only receives household waste from nearby residents but also garbage from a nearby market, including animal parts. "These gentlemen you see here, in what conditions are they working? The rot, the accumulation of organic waste, including grass and other debris, is terrible," said the complainant identified on Facebook as Marilyn Saiz Martínez.
The video shows a worker throwing trash into a truck with his bare hands, while another person receives it from the top of the vehicle. A third person, apparently the driver, hides to avoid being caught on camera and does not help his colleagues.
"There isn't a single glove. I don't believe that we are in such a severe crisis that they can't provide some protection for their health. They are trying to protect us, but in what conditions?" the resident questioned. It was also evident that the workers lacked basic tools such as brooms, shovels, or dustpans to pile up the waste.
Havana faces an alarming situation due to the massive accumulation of garbage, exacerbated by the lack of fuel, personnel, and collection equipment. Only 68% of the city's waste is collected, while the rest remains on the streets, creating infection hotspots and increasing the risk of fires due to the release of methane gas.
Of this waste, only about 40% is recovered for recycling, leaving a large volume of trash in public spaces. This worsens the already grave epidemiological situation on the island, with the proliferation of rats, cockroaches, and mosquitoes.
Recently, the Cerro Municipal Administration Council partnered with the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (Mipyme) Talleres Delis to improve community hygiene, according to the official Canal Habana. The main contribution of this private business appears to be the enhancement of the equipment used for garbage collection, with priority given to the main avenues of the territory, the official media reported.
In a country where the health system has become vulnerable, largely due to the lack of hygiene in public spaces, contracting an illness can pose significant complications for medical treatment, which is also deficient.
Workplace Safety and Sanitation Issues in Cuba
This section addresses frequently asked questions about the current challenges faced by sanitation workers in Havana, Cuba, and the broader implications for public health.
Why are sanitation workers in Havana collecting trash without proper protection?
Sanitation workers in Havana are collecting trash without proper protection due to a severe lack of resources, including essential safety gear such as gloves and basic tools.
What are the health risks associated with the current waste management situation in Havana?
The accumulation of waste in Havana poses significant health risks, including the spread of diseases due to the proliferation of rats, cockroaches, and mosquitoes, as well as the increased risk of fires from methane gas release.
What steps are being taken to address the sanitation crisis in Havana?
The Cerro Municipal Administration Council has partnered with the private enterprise Talleres Delis to improve community hygiene by enhancing the equipment used for garbage collection, prioritizing main avenues.