Okaz newspaper recently published a report about several topics discussed by the members of the Shoura Council during their deliberations last Tuesday. The report was titled “Shoura demands a review in mechanism for approving budgets for street cleaning.” In this article, I would like to focus on street cleaning and the opinions of the Shoura members about the cleaning programs and varied costs of cleaning projects in Kingdom's different regions. One Shoura member called a review on the mechanism for the approval of budgets for each cleaning project while another member expressed doubts about the effective implementation of cleaning projects awarded to local companies. A third member pointed out that cleaning of major roads and squares in Jeddah is going well but cleaning of streets in various districts of the city needed more attention. He called for punitive measures against those who throw litter from their vehicles. The member proposed expanding programs for sorting waste and working out an alternative way than burning to dispense garbage. A woman member underlined the need to draw up a full-fledged program for environmental awareness to instill public hygiene in the behaviors of communities. Reading the newspaper report carefully, I agree with the viewpoints of the respected Shoura members, especially the woman member. The cleaning programs and their costs that vary from region to region and from city to city shall be reviewed in its entirety from the process of awarding the contracts to the standards that have to be maintained by the companies contracted to do the job. What caught my attention was that none of the Shoura Council members mentioned about the key component of the cleaning program — the workers. There was no discussion on hiring issues and the salaries of cleaners, in addition to their work conditions, protection of their rights and other issues that would make them committed to do their work in the best way possible. I have to emphasize the fact that the cleaners deserve just and fair treatment and there should be an end to the totally unjust exploitation of the cleaners, who are currently receiving very low salary which is not enough to meet their basic requirements. This could drive them into crime like what the prominent business leader Sheikh Saleh Kamel had pointed out. In an interview, the well-known media figure Turki Al-Dakheel asked Sheikh Kamel whether the salary given to cleaners was attractive enough. Sheikh Kamel replied in the negative and added that their low salary could turn the street cleaners into criminals. In answer to the question on who was responsible for their appalling situation, Sheikh Kamel said: “The responsibility lies in the bidding system as well as with the companies and businessmen, and I am one of them.” During the interview he promised to improve the cleaners' living conditions. On my way to the mosque for morning (Fajr) prayers, I often see workers cleaning streets and alleys as well as collecting the litters strewn here and there. Even the mere thought about their meager salary makes me feel their pain and distress. How can these people make ends meet with a salary ranging between SR300 and SR500? How much of this amount they can send to their families back home and what is left with them? Their salary would hardly be enough to pay for the dinner of an official of the contracting company that hired the poor workers. How can anyone blame a street cleaner, who gets such a meager salary, if he turns to other ways to earn extra income like collecting empty cans of carbonated drinks and scrap iron to be sold to scrap dealers or even resort to stealing? How can anyone blame him if he becomes derelict in his duties or works sloppily? I hope the members of the Shoura Council who emphasized the need to review the mechanism for approving budgets of cleaning projects shall take into account the human aspects, especially the cleaners' salaries, their living and working conditions as well as their visas which they get through brokers who scalp them behind the rosy promises of attractive pay and good working conditions. When they arrive in the Kingdom, they have to face stark realities and realize that they have been cheated by the brokers and the company's representatives. By this time, they would have no other option but to face the real situation and difficult job in accordance with the unfair terms and conditions of their work contract they were forced to sign. The Tender Law, which regulates contracts to be signed by the companies needing the workers and the contractor which supplies the labor force, should be subjected to a close scrutiny by the members of the Shoura Council to protect the workers and prevent any negative provisions in the contracts. There must be specific provisions that spell out the area of the city covered by the contract, the number of residents and streets and the manner of cleaning, number of required cleaners and equipment and the minimum wages of cleaners and supervisors. In advanced countries, cleaners receive salaries and allowances that match the toughness of their work. In all situations, there should be a close monitoring by the municipalities, evaluation and follow up of the performance and treatment of workers by the companies and contractors which signed the contracts. Before implementing cleaning projects, the companies and contractors should be required to submit bank guarantees to ensure that the workers are paid promptly at the right amount and that their living conditions and other rights are protected under all circumstances.
— Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi is a former Saudi diplomat who specializes in Southeast Asian affairs. He can be reached at [email protected]
