Lisbon is currently facing a waste management crisis as waste collection workers have gone on strike, leaving piles of uncollected rubbish across the city. The strike, organised by the Municipal Workers Union of Lisbon (STML) and the Local Administration Workers Union (STAL), has caused inconvenience to residents during the busy festive season when waste levels typically increase. Many residents have criticized Mayor Carlos Moedas for mishandling the city’s waste management, while the Mayor’s office has acknowledged the difficult situation faced by the capital due to the strike. Despite efforts by the city council to collect waste, the accumulation of trash continues, prompting the placement of 57 additional bins for organic and recyclable waste across Lisbon.
To address the ongoing waste crisis, the city council has placed additional bins for organic and recyclable waste, but these measures are seen as only temporary fixes. The unions have further called for a full strike on December 26 and 27, an overtime ban during the Christmas to New Year period, and a strike on both regular and overtime work from 10 PM on January 1 to 6 AM on January 2. The STML has criticized the council for not fulfilling commitments made in a June 2023 agreement, including upgrades to worker facilities and proper meal spaces. The decision to outsource cleaning services to private companies has also been condemned by the union as unacceptable, further highlighting the failures of the administration to address the real problems in urban cleaning.
Despite delays in meeting some of the demands by the unions, Pedro Moutinho from Lisbon City Council has assured that progress is being made and that commitments from the June 2023 agreement will be fully implemented. He acknowledged that the situation is challenging due to the strike, with participation reaching 80% on the first day. The council’s efforts to address the waste crisis include placing additional bins and urging residents to refrain from leaving unnecessary rubbish on the streets. The strike has emphasized the importance of proper waste management and the need for the authorities to address the issues raised by the unions to avoid such crises in the future.
The strike by waste collection workers has highlighted underlying issues in waste management in Lisbon, including the failure of the administration to properly organize its workforce and address key problems in urban cleaning. The unions have raised concerns about the outsourcing of cleaning services to private companies, which they deem unacceptable. The strike has also brought attention to the commitments made in the June 2023 agreement, including upgrades to worker facilities and proper meal spaces, which have not been fulfilled according to the unions. The continued accumulation of trash across the city has underscored the urgency of resolving these issues and ensuring better working conditions for waste collection workers.
As the waste crisis in Lisbon continues due to the ongoing strike, the city council faces increasing pressure to resolve the situation and address the demands of the unions. While temporary measures such as placing additional bins have been taken to alleviate the situation, a more comprehensive and long-term solution is needed to prevent similar crises in the future. The strike has sparked public outcry and criticism of the city administration for failing to effectively manage waste collection and address the concerns of the workers. Moving forward, it will be crucial for the authorities to engage in meaningful dialogue with the unions and take concrete steps to improve waste management practices and ensure better working conditions for waste collection workers in Lisbon.
