La Paz streets fill with garbage as city and company seek deal

La Paz is grappling with a mounting garbage crisis as negotiations between the city government and the waste collection company, La Paz Limpia, stall over contract adjustments. The company cites rising operational costs, particularly for fuel and salaries, as the reason for its request to renegotiate terms.

Both parties have engaged in intense discussions, establishing a working group to find a resolution. A deadline of August 17 has been set for a definitive agreement. Mayor César Dockweiler has urged workers to resume cleaning services, emphasizing that the city does not deserve to be in this situation. He stated that the workers have committed to consulting with their bases and monitoring the negotiation process.

The conflict has led to disruptions and a reduction in waste collection services, resulting in the accumulation of trash across various parts of La Paz. While La Paz Limpia points to increased expenses, the Mayor's Office maintains that it has met its payment obligations. The city is calling for transparency in the company's cost structure to evaluate the proposal. In the interim, the Mayor's Office has deployed emergency personnel and equipment to manage the growing waste and mitigate potential health risks.

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We ask the workers to be able to restart the cleaning process, because as a society we do not deserve to be in this situation. They have committed to talking with their bases, monitoring the negotiation process and, at the appropriate time, restarting the cleaning of the streets.