With regard to the article “Who will protect the rights of street cleaners?” (Nov. 19), private cleaning companies will never increase the salaries of these poor cleaning workers. Government agencies must take the responsibility of playing a role in this. Apart from governmental agencies, it is the responsibility of society to correct this unfairness. There is no one to represent these workers. I see only newspaper columns expressing sympathy for them. They do not need our sympathy, but rather deserve the right to live respectfully. Just give them the right pay for the great job that they are doing. Vipin Arora, Online response Possibly Saudis should look to themselves as part of the source of this problem. Were it not for the widespread habit of throwing trash out of the windows of cars, there would be little need for these street cleaners. Once again, the real heart of the story has been missed. Saudis need to take some civic pride and not treat the world around them like a trash bin. What would this country look like if all of these cleaners went home? Steve, Online response I agree with the author, Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi, that something must be done to redress the grievances of street cleaners, laborers and construction workers. Islam teaches us that every employer is responsible for taking care of his employee in terms of their salary, health and welfare and that he will face severe punishment by Allah for any injustice. Also it is ordered that a worker's salary should be paid before his sweat has dried. The Saudi labor ministry should play an active monitoring role to ensure justice to all workers. Syed Ehsanul Haque, Online response
