The silent army of street cleaners, who generally are given only a fleeting glance as they toil away in light and dark, were given their moment in the sun on Thursday.
The town set a unique example of respecting service by honoring the local street cleaners on the final day of its five-day Ramadan festival. The Bangladeshi laborers were guests of honor at the event, where they were given VIP treatment, Al-Eqtisadiah reported Friday.
In a symbolic exchange, a number of local youths respectfully received brooms and other cleaning equipment from the guests of honor, who were in turn given bouquets and gifts. The large number of guests at the event welcomed them with thundering applause.
Majority of these workers in the Kingdom are exploited and made to work long hours on incredibly low wages.
Ghanim bin Hammad Al-Audah, chairman of the Al-Khuttah's social development committee that organized the festival, said the town wanted to convey its gratitude to the cleaners. He said in past years the town honored people from other walks of life.
Residents welcomed the move by the committee and attended the function in large numbers. The Bangladeshi workers, some teary-eyed, were overcome by the recognition of their services by the committee.
