News
Risking their lives to keep a city clean
View(s):Although the country is under a weekend curfew to stop the spread of COVID-19, those engaged in essential services were seen carrying out their duties in some parts of the city. These included the street sweepers and garbage collectors. These unsung heroes and heroines continue with their tasks in spite of the risk of contracting the disease.
With the country facing a severe shortage of masks and gloves, some of them make do with one glove, while others where tattered ones which they have been using for years. A few lucky ones have a mask, while others have only handkerchiefs or nothing at all. Protective footwear is non-existent with workers having to make do with their own rubber slippers.
The Government insists that these workers cannot stay home as their services are deemed essential. Isn’t it only right then that the government provides basic protection to these workers who are not only putting their lives at risk, but also those of their loved ones.
Pix and text by Indika Handuwala and M.A. Pushpakumara
