On the last day of the year, environmental sanitation workers work through the night in the cold.

On the night of January 19, 2023, on Hermann Street (Hung Phuc Ward, Vinh City), various types of waste were piled up on many carts, stretching for several dozen meters. According to Ms. Truong Thi Lam and Ms. Dinh Thi Gai (workers of Nghe An Urban Environment and Construction Joint Stock Company), this was waste collected from households in residential areas on both sides of the road, and the waste on both sides of the road, curbs, and sidewalks had been collected by them. Photo: Nhat Lan

Near Tet, there was a lot of trash, the weather was harsh and cold, the women had to work from 4pm to 2-3am the next morning to complete the task, but both were happy. The reason is that this year the company gives workers a 13th month salary and half of the 14th month salary. In addition, they also support workers with meals between shifts. "I am a level 7 worker, receiving about 11 million VND in bonus; and Gai is a level 4 worker, receiving about 8 million VND in bonus" - Ms. Lam said.

Mr. Dang Tho Phuong, of Garbage Collection Team No. 4, is tasked with collecting garbage from residential areas and bringing it to the transfer station on Le Ninh Street. Working hard in the cold, he is always cheerful. Photo: Nhat Lan

Taking a break with his colleagues to have a mid-shift meal, Mr. Phuong said that he will receive nearly 20 million VND at the end of this year. "The bonus is about 11 million VND, the salary is 8.3 million VND. In total, nearly 20 million VND..." - Mr. Phuong said. Photo: Nhat Lan

The mid-shift meal for workers of Nghe An Urban Environment and Construction Joint Stock Company on the night of January 19, 2023 was a portion of sticky rice with ham, eggs; a carton of milk and a bottle of mineral water. Photo: Nhat Lan

Female workers of Nghe An Urban Environment and Construction Joint Stock Company have a mid-shift meal on the night of January 19, 2023. Photo: Nhat Lan

Only by going to the garbage transfer site on Le Ninh Street can one realize how much waste the city produces. The garbage here is collected by bulldozers and excavators into large piles, then loaded onto specialized vehicles to be transported to the Nghi Yen Waste Treatment Complex. Photo: Nhat Lan

Operating the rolling machine, pressing and transferring garbage into the garbage compartment of a specialized vehicle. Photo: Nhat Lan

According to the Chairman of the Trade Union of Nghe An Urban Environment and Construction Joint Stock Company, each specialized vehicle will carry 10 - 11 tons of garbage per trip. During the days near Tet, the amount of garbage doubles the normal day, about 600 tons. This means that 55 - 60 specialized vehicles will be needed to transport garbage from the collection sites to the Nghi Yen Waste Treatment Complex. "The cleaning and collection team works from 4 - 5 pm to about 1 - 2 am, then they have a break; while the specialized vehicle team works almost all night, until about 4 - 5 am. During this cold weather, in addition to increasing protective gear, the company has decided to support additional mid-shift meals for workers..." - Mr. Pham Huu Thang said.

Also according to the Chairman of the Trade Union of Nghe An Urban Environment and Construction Joint Stock Company, the staff of the company's Office is responsible for promptly delivering mid-shift meals to workers. In the photo: Staff of the Vinh Urban Environment and Construction Joint Stock Company Office delivering mid-shift meals to workers. Photo: Huu Thang