UNABLE to bear with it any longer, food outlet operators in Jalan Kenari, Bandar Puchong Jaya are crying foul over the extra money demanded by workers of a garbage contractor in the area.

Lim Choong Wei said the workers nowadays demanded around RM100 every month from each operator just to collect all the garbage.

“The problem (of workers asking for payment) has been around for years, but the situation has worsened in recent weeks,” said the 22-year-old whose outlet is in Jalan Kenari 6.

Stinking problem: Uncollected rubbish in Jalan Kenari 2.

“I initially refused to pay the money, which the worker claimed was demanded by their boss.

“That resulted in the workers collecting less than half the daily amount of waste generated by my outlet, which averages to more than eight garbage bags a day.”

Lim said he was forced to pay the money last month after customers complained about the unbearable stench from the garbage that had piled up after two weeks.

“However, despite paying the fee not all the garbage bags were collected,” he said.

“I have checked with my neighbours, but only those who operate food outlets are affected by the demand for extra money.”

Thong Kiang Seng, 52, said food outlet operators who did not give in to the workers’ demand were stuck with the other half of the garbage.

“Besides being a cleanliness issue, the piles of garbage attracts pests like flies and rats,” said Thong, whose business is located in Jalan Kenari 2.

“Even when we attempt to load the garbage bags into the compactor lorry, the workers will return the bags to us,” said Thong.

Tan Hai Sia said the workers never asked her or her husband for extra money, but the workers have not been collecting much of their garbage since last month.

Selangor MCA Youth chief and Kinrara MCA public complaint and service centre chief Dr Kow Cheong Wei said the traders were afraid to voice out their complaints to the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ).

“Previously, a trader who complained about having to pay the extra money ended up being slapped with summonses for cleanliness problems,” said Dr Kow.

“However, they feel that by highlighting their complaints as a group, the council will take the matter seriously.”

Dr Kow said that earlier the workers used to ask for token payments in the form of cigarettes or red packets, but the situation had worsened in recent times with them demanding between RM100 and RM200 a month per restaurant.

“I will lodge a complaint on the matter with the MPSJ and convey the traders’ request to have the garbage collection contractor changed,” he said, adding that the contractor also does not meet the scheduled daily garbage collection.

“The traders should not be made to pay more than their annual business licence fee and twice yearly assessment fee,” said Dr Kow.

-The Star-