Anti-Monopoly Garbage Collector Protest Disrupts Warsaw Traffic

Garbage collectors mass march paralyzed traffic in Warsaw, local media reported Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — A mass march by garbage collectors paralyzed traffic in Warsaw as they arrived in the Polish capital from across the country to protest proposed amendments that threaten to make many of them redundant, local media reported Tuesday.

According to the television channel TVN Warszawa, the protesters oppose the proposed amendment to the public procurement law, which limits waste disposal tenders to municipal companies, driving private companies out of the market. The amendment, which may be voted on in the Polish parliament on May 11, is believed could result in a government monopoly and an increase in waste disposal tariffs.

A garbage truck leads the march, followed by protesters dressed in high-visibility vests and carrying garbage cans and placards reading "It'll get more expensive, worse," and "Instead of healthy competition — a local monopoly."

As many as 1,500 people are reported to be taking part in the rally. The protesters fear that up to 200 companies could be put out of business if the amendment is adopted, leaving 18,000 people without a job.

The protesters are said to have prepared four petitions addressed to President Andrzej Duda, Prime Minister Beata Szydlow, Deputy Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Senate Speaker Stanislav Karchevsky.