A large number of street cleaners here claim they have not been paid for six months. They told an Arabic daily that they only earn SR500 a month. Many have financial problems and support families back home. One of the cleaners wondered why the company had not paid them although they complied with the contract and worked two shifts a day, one from 7 A.M. to 12 noon and the second from 4 P.M. to 6 P.M.Noor, an Indian street cleaner whose salary is SR350, said: “I haven't received a penny in six months. I have a big family back home who waits for me to transfer money.” One of the supervisors confirmed the complaint of the street cleaners. The newspaper called the general manager of the company who initially denied the complaint, but after hearing that the street cleaners had spoken to the newspaper, he asked for time to prepare a statement. However, he refused to answer any calls later. Tabuk Mayoralty signed contracts with four companies two years ago to provide street cleaners in four areas. Tabuk residents fear that the salary delays might prevent them from working. Last year, cleaners stopped working and garbage accumulated on the city's streets.
