Salary strike has Hanoi choking on trash ahead of New Year

By Ngoc Thanh, Tat Dinh December 30, 2020 | 03:30 am PT

Over 100 tons of uncollected garbage have been left to stack up in Hanoi's Nam Tu Liem District after sanitation workers went on strike.

Garbage lay stacked the area behind My Dinh coach station in Nam Tu Liem District as high as a meter.Over the past six days, garbage has not been collected as many employees of Nam Hanoi Group Joint Stock Company, responsible for collecting rubbish in the district, went on strike as their company failed to win a new bidding package, said Nguyen Duc Hiep, deputy director of the districts construction investment project management board, adding that a large number of rollers of this unit were also damaged.But the firm has failed to pay its staff on time, leading to strikes and uncollected garbage. Hiep said that the companys package will end on Thursday and garbage collection in the district will be done by the Urenco Cau Dien branch under Hanoi Urban Environment Company (Urenco 7).

Garbage lies stacked up behind My Dinh coach station in Nam Tu Liem District.
Over the past six days, employees of Nam Hanoi Group JSC, responsible for collecting rubbish in the district, went on strike after the company failed to win a new contract and pay them on time, said Nguyen Duc Hiep, deputy director of the district's construction investment project management board, adding a large number of trash carts have been damaged in the process.
Hiep confirmed the company's contract would end Thursday and that garbage in the district would be collected by the Urenco Cau Dien branch under Hanoi Urban Environment Company (Urenco 7).

Dozens of trash-filled carts inundate on Ham Nghi Street and occupy halfway, making it difficult for people to travel during rush hours.

Dozens of trash-filled carts inundate Ham Nghi Street during rush hour.

On Ton That Thuyet Street, garbage trucks are covered with canvas to reduce the stink.

On Ton That Thuyet Street, garbage carts are covered with canvas to reduce the stink.

Carts overload with garbage piled up nearly 2 meters high on Nguyen Hoang Street at 7 a.m. on Wednesday.

Carts overloaded with garbage nearly two meters high on Nguyen Hoang Street at 7 a.m. on Wednesday.

At the beginning of an alley on Nguyen Hoang Street, piles of rubbish are left on a sidewalk. Hanoi currently produces around 6,500 tons of trash each day, 89 percent of which is buried while the rest is burned.

At the entrance to an alley on Nguyen Hoang Street, piles of rubbish swamp the sidewalk.
Hanoi currently produces around 6,500 tons of trash each day, 89 percent of which is buried while the rest is burned.

Garbage line up near an apartment complex on Me Tri Street. Residents said that the garbage has not been collected for more than four days. As there is no carts so they have to throw them onto the street.

Garbage line up near an apartment complex on Me Tri Street. Residents said the trash has not been collected for more than four days.

Without empty cart to collect garbage in small alleys, a female worker has to move garbage from full carts to another location.

A female worker moves garbage from a full cart to another location.

A worker gathers garbage trucks that were too tall for her head while waiting for the rolling car to carry them for burial.

A worker maneuvers a garbage cart amid a sea of trash.

On Wednesday morning, many trucks start to carrying garbage to landfill for burial. Last month, garbage was left to stack up in Tay Ho and Nam Tu Liem districts of Hanoi, disrupting daily life and causing pollution.

On Wednesday morning, trucks started transporting garbage to landfills for burial. Last month, garbage was left to stack up in Tay Ho and Nam Tu Liem districts of Hanoi, disrupting daily life and causing pollution.