The silent people who beautify the streets

On the evening of the 28th of Tet, it was drizzling and the cold north wind was blowing, but on the streets of Hoang Mai town, environmental sanitation workers were still working diligently, despite the rush of people returning home.

Having worked in the profession for more than 10 years, Nguyen Thi Vinh, a worker at Hoang Mai Urban Environment Investment and Development Joint Stock Company, has been spending Tet holidays on every street for the same number of years. Decorating the house and shopping for Tet items can only be done by relying on family, or taking advantage of the time. Because the nature of the job requires always being on duty on the street to ensure the cleanliness of sidewalks and alleys, especially working mainly at night, the hardship is multiplied.

Every year, from the 23rd day of the Lunar New Year to the 30th day of the Lunar New Year, the amount of garbage in the area is sometimes three or four times higher than the rest of the year. On the last days of the year, the amount of garbage increases even more, she and her colleagues often have to work until almost dawn, when the streets are clean and there is no garbage left, then they can return home.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Vinh confided: During the days before Tet, the workload is heavier, but sisters always encourage each other to try, not only as a way to make a living but also as a job to beautify life and society.

On another street corner, right in the Mai Hung market area, after the Tet market on the last afternoon of the year, the amount of garbage piled up, giving off all kinds of smells. Five female workers were busy carrying each bag of garbage onto the truck, picking up the scattered items that people had not yet put in their bags. In the cold weather, but behind the mask, sweat was still pouring out. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hang, one of the longest-serving workers at the Company, shared that a working day for the workers starts at 8:00 p.m. and lasts until the next morning. This job requires patience, diligence, and the income is not high, so not everyone is willing to commit to it long term. Most of the company's workers are over 30 years old, young people are hardly interested in choosing this job.

Sympathizing and sharing the hardships of workers, in addition to bonuses during Tet, the board of directors of Hoang Mai Urban Environment Investment and Development Joint Stock Company always cares about the lives and health of workers during Tet.

Mr. Dau Van Ha - Director of Hoang Mai Urban Environment Investment and Development Joint Stock Company said: The company currently has 32 officers and employees. During the 28th and 29th of Tet, the workload increased 3-4 times, workers had to work 3 shifts continuously, although the company's conditions were still very difficult, the company still tried to increase the workers' salary by half a month, and at the same time provided food and milk money to encourage them to work effectively during peak days.

Before, during and after the Lunar New Year, the Company has increased the number of specialized vehicles and 100% of workers to collect waste to avoid backlog and congestion of waste on roads and residential areas.

In addition, to promptly encourage environmental sanitation workers, leaders of Hoang Mai town and mass organizations of the town also visited and presented Tet gifts. The gifts were handed to the workers on a cold winter night, contributing to encouragement, sharing, and helping workers feel warmer when Tet comes.

At the end of the year, walking on the wide, clean roads, we can see all the hard work and silent contributions to the community of environmental workers. That silent work is very valuable, contributing to making Hoang Mai town increasingly clean, beautiful and civilized./.