Once heartbroken
Attached to street sweeping for 14 years, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lam - environmental worker of Hanoi Urban Environment Co., Ltd. - Dong Da Branch said that she is used to shifts during holidays. For her, that silent job is not only a livelihood but also a source of pride when contributing a small part to maintaining a green, clean, and beautiful environment for the Capital.
Ms. Lam started her career in 2011. She recounted that on March 8th of that year, she both worked and felt sad and tearful. "While many families gathered and strolled on holidays, my colleagues and I still quietly worked on every street. Seeing people taking each other out to play, I felt very sorry for myself when I went to work," Ms. Lam recalled.
But that feeling quickly subsided when she received attention from the company and the Trade Union organization. Every March 8th, female workers were visited, given gifts, and in the following days, they were given opportunities to visit, interact, and learn. Timely sharing made her realize that she was not alone in her work.
Not only that, according to Ms. Lam, the concern of the unit's leaders is also shown in very close things. The Director regularly texts to inquire about workers, listen to and respond to questions.
This year, on March 8th, Ms. Lam continues to be assigned to be on duty from 2 pm until the streets are clean. "Although the work is hard, I still feel happy and proud. Because each clean street after work is proof of the silent contributions of me and my colleagues to the city" - Ms. Lam confided.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thom - a street sweeper driver, a colleague of Ms. Lam - is also used to celebrating special holidays on the streets for the past 13 years.
For her, International Women's Day March 8th, like many other holidays, is not a day off, but a time when work becomes busier.
Ms. Thom said that during holidays and Tet, the amount of waste on the streets often increases. Therefore, the working hours of environmental workers are also longer. "We work until the streets are clean and then stop" - Ms. Thom said.
On holidays and Tet, while driving a street sweeper, catching images of families taking each other out to play, or women receiving flowers, she cannot avoid feeling sad. "Sometimes I feel a little sad because everyone goes out to play, and I go to work" - Ms. Thom shared. But that feeling is quickly replaced by other joys. For her, the simple happiness of an environmental worker is sometimes just the moment of seeing the road she just cleaned become clean and tidy.
According to Ms. Thom, despite having to work on special days, she and her colleagues always feel warmed by the concern of the leadership. Not only encouraging and visiting during the holidays, the unit also organizes for workers to visit and learn in many places. That concern makes the hard working days lighter.
Understanding the specific nature of his wife's work, her husband always gives her sympathy and care. On March 8 every year, after each shift, when she returns home, she still receives wishes and small gifts from her husband and children.
Amidst the bustling pace of life in the Capital, workers like Ms. Lam and Ms. Thom still quietly work, so that each street is always clean and beautiful, even in the days they could have spent for themselves.
Caring for the spiritual life of workers
Talking to reporters, Ms. Mai Thanh Hang - Deputy Director, Chairwoman of URENCO Dong Da Branch Trade Union - said that the nature of the work of environmental workers is always associated with high pressure, especially during holidays and Tet. During these times, the amount of waste generated often increases sharply, possibly one and a half times compared to normal days.
The more holidays and days off, the more all officials and employees have to increase work. People go out to play and eat a lot, so a large amount of garbage arises, so workers are also more vất vả" - Ms. Hang shared.
According to Ms. Hang, despite being busy with work, the unit still pays special attention to the lives of female workers, especially on March 8th. Every year, the branch and the general company's leadership organize practical care activities. All female officials and employees receive gifts on March 8th. In addition, the unit also organizes sightseeing and exchange programs for female workers.
Short-day tours and picnics are organized to help workers have time to rest and relax after hard working days.
Vacation programs are also organized in rotation so that workers have the opportunity to participate while still ensuring common work. Teams and groups will arrange to take turns resting so that everyone can take care of their spiritual life.
With the role of both unit leader and Trade Union Chairwoman, Ms. Hang said that she and the Trade Union Executive Committee regularly go down to production teams, even accompany workers in the evening shift to grasp the thoughts and aspirations of workers.
