16 May 2012
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Clean Living What life on the streets is like for one of Syria's rubbish collectors. By Abdulhamid Qabbani
"Work is not shameful," said Abu Kusai, one of the many rubbish collectors in navy suits who labour daily, sweeping the streets of Damascus. Few people interact with these workers on a regular basis. But Abu Kusai's friendly, conversational demeanour helps diminish stereotypes about his profession, which is often marred by false assumptions. Derogatory terms "He is my friend," Abu Kusai said grinning, referring to the shop assistant serving tea, who nodded in agreement. "I downloaded a chat programme on his computer and taught him how to use it. I am curious to explore internet chat programmes and find out how they work." Most days, Abu Kusai walks with his three-wheeled cart in front of him, stopping every few metres to sweep up rubbish from the roadside with a long, wooden broom and dustpan, greeting people along the way. Many parents warn their children that if they do not work hard enough in school they will become zabbal (sloppy) – a derogatory term used to describe rubbish collectors. However, Abu Kusai insisted that the use of the word is incorrect: "It's not me, who cleans up the rubbish who is 'zabbal', but the one who throws rubbish on the street in the first place." Abu Kusai became a rubbish collector two-and-a-half years ago. He left school when he was 14 years old, out of necessity. Being the eldest child, he had to work to help his father provide for a 10-member family. He worked as a paver until he was 25 then he worked as a porter in Souq Al-Hal where vegetables and fruits are sold to shops in bulk. "I left school due to financial difficulties although I was a hard-working student," he said. "I wanted to continue my studies." An honourable profession "If I was ashamed of this job, I wouldn't do it in the first place...I don't care what people think of me," he said. "What I care about is that I am satisfied with what I am doing and with living off the sweat of my brow." Rubbish collecting is an organised process. About 5,000 workers are assigned to clean up Damascus. Every rubbish collector has a working area of about 800 metres, according to Abu Kusai, and uses the same tools – broom, dustcart and two hard cardboard containers for storing the rubbish. Abu Kusai commutes by bicycle to his assembly point where the area's rubbish collectors gather and leave their bins. There are 24 such stations in Damascus, according to Abu Kusai's supervisor, lined with chaotically parked dustbins. He changes into a navy blue uniform with yellow straps, the supervisor signs his log book and Abu Kusai sets off for his patch. "Every two hours a supervisor comes and checks my street and signs my logbook," he said. "Once, the supervisor saw me sitting and drinking tea by the roadside, and they took three days' wages from me." It is exhausting work. Abu Kusai, who works from 3pm to 11pm, said it is a tiring shift because most trash is littered everyday between 8am and 8pm - which is the official time set by the government to deposit rubbish in dumpsters. However, some people do not put their rubbish in the right receptacles at the assigned times, he said. Most shops close by 9pm, when they dump rubbish outside their shops. "Rubbish collecting is hard labour because as soon as you finish, tree leaves might fall and you have to clean again," Abu Kusai said. "Otherwise, it feels like you haven't done your job." Abu Kusai said he takes pride in keeping the streets clean. Though some people appreciate his and others' hard work, he is frustrated about those who have a casual attitude towards litter. "I get so annoyed when I see people dump their rubbish near the rubbish container," he said. "I would carry my empty cigarette packet for miles until I found a rubbish bin, as I know what it takes to clean it up." Double-edged broom This brings the total income to SYP 16,000 (USD 336) compared to the average salary of SYP 10,000 (USD 210) for other government workers after the most recent pay increase in March. In addition, rubbish collectors are entitled to two eggs per working day, six kilograms of milk per month, a pair of gloves and one leather jacket every six months. Even though rubbish collecting is a relatively well-paid job for unskilled workers and offers some advantages, Abu Kusai does not want his two young sons to follow his lead. "I would of course say no if my son wanted to be a rubbish collector," he said. "We have outdated and backward perceptions of rubbish collectors in this region tantamount to disdain or pity." Even for himself, Abu Kusai dreams of finding another job and would accept less money in order to work indoors. "I'd like to work in a building as a night guard," he said. "At least I'd come to work clean and leave clean." |
16 May 2012
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